Welfare reform plans are slammed

The TUC says it is disappointed with the welfare reform green paper 'In work better off'. It was published by the government last month who claimed it would provide the next steps to full employment.

Brendan Barber, general secretary, singled out a tougher obligation on lone parents and the unemployed to seek work as the main focus of his criticism. But he added that the proposed jobs pledge by employers in Local Employment Partnerships to offer job interviews to people on benefit who are "ready and prepared to work" could not guarantee that there would be enough work to go round.

The PCS union, which represents job centre staff, focused on plans to outsource arrangements for helping people into work. The union expressed fears that the moves to outsource were driven by a desire to plug gaps and cut costs.

Commercialisation would lead to corners being cut, the union said, and it questioned the ability of the private and voluntary sectors to outperform the public sector in getting the long-term unemployed back to work.

Work and pensions secretary Peter Hain described the proposals as a "step change" in the government's approach, involving fast-track help, tougher responsibilities and a partnership with business. But they follow the closure of over 500 jobcentres and benefit offices, and the axing of 15,000 jobcentre staff over the last two years.

Employers that have committed to Local Employment Partnerships include Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury, Tesco, Vodafone and Diageo. For a full list go to www.dwp.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2007/jul/emp039-180707.asp