Scottish Government must scrap failed Work Programme as soon as it can

SCVO media comment 27 November 2014

Time to invest in what works to create real jobs for people

Lucy McTernan, Deputy Chief Executive, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, said: “John Swinney will soon have the power to scrap the Work Programme in Scotland and we urge him to do so as soon as he can. The Work Programme has been proven time and again to be a broken system which is failing to help people into work. In fact it’s only getting 18% of people into a job so it’s time to put this exploitative, punitive and under-performing programme out of its misery once and for all. “The UK and Scottish Governments should enter immediate discussions to find a way for the Scottish Government to take control over the Work Programme immediately, without waiting for the full transfer of the other proposed powers. This would require the better intergovernmental working recommended by Lord Smith and supported by us. “We already have the highly successful Community Jobs Scotland (CJS) which has created jobs for nearly 5,000 young unemployed people across 580 charities and third sector organisations in Scotland. More than 60% of people taking part in the CJS go on to either full time employment or take up further training. “CJS creates real, paid jobs for young unemployed people, including those who face the biggest barriers to work, such as low skills and qualifications. “Any delay in ridding Scotland of the Work Programme and investing instead in approaches which actually create paid jobs and support people into long-term employment, would be inexcusable.” ENDS Notes to editors:

1. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is the national body representing the interests of charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises.  The Scottish third sector turns over £4.9 billion a year and employs 138,000 people in over 45,000 organisations. For more on SCVO see www.scvo.scot
2. To arrange further comment, please call Charlotte McNeill, Press Officer, SCVO on 0779 060 1995