Slap in face for the poor

Published: 3 December, 2010

• DAVID Cameron’s idea of the Happiness Society will not bring us joy. How can someone be happy to work unpaid?

The new policy – working for 30 hours a week for one month to continue receiving benefits, or lose them for three months – already exists. Flexible New Deal claimants are sent to work unpaid, not only for charities but also local authorities and private companies.

Why private companies? Are they not making enough money? How can you explain to a part-time student that he is unable to find work because someone else took those jobs unpaid? Far from reducing unemployment, this will increase it. 

We already have had reports of people forced into work in these conditions, which contravene employment rights. Employers will be reluctant to spend time or money on proper safety training if they know the claimant will only be there for a short time. 

This policy will force down wages, especially for lower-paid jobs. Mr Cameron has said he has never met anyone who wants to pay more taxes. We challenge him to find anyone who wants to work for nothing. The Happiness Society is a sick joke on people on low incomes and a slap in the face for the poor.

EMILY WILLIAMS
Islington Poverty Action Group