Have you been requested to attend the Mandatory Work Activity/Work Programme scheme? Mandatory Work Activity Scheme and Work Programme refusal letter now available at refusewp.com! * a BIG thank you for everyone getting involved in promoting this website and doing all they can to stop Work Programme and Mandatory Work Activity etc. *.
So we will end this website with the last article. This article is on The Guardians Work Programme Q&A session.
If you wish to find out more about those on the interview panel or see the Q&A session in full click the below button.
Live Q&A: The Work Programme, Tuesday 29 November, 1-3pm
Alternatively, view the comments we have below from the session, taken under Guardians T&Cs which allows it. (more…)
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A Month of Festive Action Against Atos and the Benefit Cuts
Join us in December for a month of protests, actions and demonstrations against poverty pimps Atos and the condem government’s Welfare Reform Bill.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=122853381158514
With thousands to face homelessness in the New Year due to housing benefit cuts, the harassment and further impoverishment of hundreds of thousands of disabled people due to punitive ‘assessments’, the continued persecution of people on sickness benefits, soaring unemployment and forced labour in the name of Workfare, a truly Victorian Christmas is on the cards for millions of us.
Whilst Atos CEO and disability denier Keith Wilman tucks into his organic Christmas turkey or multi-millionaire poverty pimp Emma Harrison of A4e hangs
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Work Programme Network
Public Interest Lawyers have launched a legal challenge of the Government’s Mandatory Work Activity scheme arguing that it amounts to unlawful forced labour.
If this succeeds, the outcome could also apply to the Community Action Programme and the Work Programme.
The merits of this case, Public Interest Lawyers acting on behalf of Jonathan Shaw, are:-
Jonathan completed an Access course in Humanities at a Birmingham college last year. He wanted to go to university to study History but high tuition fees prevented him from doing so.
Jonathan has been out of work since March and fears being placed on to the workfare scheme.
He describe the tasks on the workfare scheme as a “pointless and demeaning process”.
By doing the fulltime work, he will have no time to be “Actively
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Manumit
Manumit
Manumit
Manumit
Manumit
You may have noticed some changes (header, footer, social networking share links, etc.) to the site.
If you want your comments to be contained on the read-only website, you have until the end of the month to do so.
The forum should be launching rather soon which will take over.
None of the comments you have previously made or make up until the end of the month, will disappear if they have been approved.
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Work Programme Network
Work Programme Network
Rob
Mr No
Work Programme Network
Today's Work Programme most popular posts
- Work Programme Network: homepage
- Jobcentre Plus Benefit Delivery Centre Phone Numbers
- New Claim or Rapid Reclaim for Jobseekers Allowance 08000 55 66 88
- Refuse Work Programme: part 1
- Comments
Discuss the Community Action Programme here (details to follow).
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Work Programme Network
Work Programme
SmithnBloggs
Work Programme Network
gissajob
Work Programme Complaints website is here!
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gissajob
Work Programme Network
gissajob
Work Programme Network
gissajob
Today we are asking our web viewers and contributors what you want to happen to our Unlawful Sanctions website. (more…)
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gissajob
Paul Christopher
warhead
sue
Surplus Labour
For a chance to win between 1 and 2 weeks Jobseekers Allowance (you do not win it from DWP – its a prize of similar amount) fill in a 30 minute survey.
A proposed job search website is asking many questions to understand unemployment and get your feedback on what existing services you like out there and which you hate.
Begin the survey
What I understand of the survey:-
Its market research for a business plan not a survey sold on to thousands
They ask for your email so they can contact you if you have been randomly selected as a winner
They will email everyone to promote the new service, then will delete email addresses
Payment is by cheque and there are no photoshoots or publicity to be forced in to
All questions are unemployment related
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Work Programme Network
Mr No
Work Programme Network
Surplus Labour
Work Programme Network
Work Programme Network reveals the DWP has refused a Freedom of Information request for statistics relating to the Work Programme and Mandatory Work Activity.
Information intended for future publication (FOI Section 22)
Under one of the many allowed exceptions under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Section 22 “Information intended for future publication” to be precise) information relating to the follow has been denied:-
Number of Work Programme referrals
Ratio between JSA and ESA client groups
Number of people who have secured employment to date
Number of people refusing the scheme
Number of benefit sanctions (for any reason including refusal)
Anticipated number of referrals by end of the first year
WPN has a large interest in this request – it is only 24 days late
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setembrini
chris lee
Mr X
Mr X
gissajob
Work Programme Network reveals some more information on the New Enterprise Allowance:-
Original New Enterprise Allowance article
New Enterprise Allowance (NEA)
(For discussion)
NewEnterpriseAllowance.info
New Enterprise Allowance Information
(Dedicated website focused on the New Enterprise Allowance and also listing other resources to help to-be entrepreneurs and businesses)
WPN New Enterprise Allowance pages
New Enterprise Allowance
(At a glance snapshot about the NEA)
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Work Programme Network
Work Programme Network
Work Programme
Work Programme Network
Work Programme Network
As co-founder of the Big Issue, John Bird, has recently made a big statement about slashing benefits, and today I make a big statement about the Big Issue. This isn’t a retaliation remark at all, as a human being he can have his own opinion but after a discussion on sister site Ipswich Unemployed Action, doubt was raised on why he said what he did and the actual success of the Big Issue.
I take great pride in this article because I know it will upset many people as bubbling from the surface the Big Issue seems a great concept of letting homeless people help themselves instead of solely relying on handouts. Reading in between the lines it actually becomes a horror. (more…)
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Ex-Big Issue Vendor
Ex-Big Issue Vendor
Work Programme Network
Work Programme Network
Work Programme Network
As taken from a DWP document: (more…)
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Kyron
Work Programme
Raymondo
ken
Funny A4e Photos
Dering Employment Services has reported that it has called in the administrators. The Croydon based company, founded by Stephen Dering in 2006, specialised in delivering employability programmes for deaf, hard of hearing and deaf/blind people and positioned itself as the only deaf-owned and deaf-run company supporting people to get jobs. The company’s reputation had grown rapidly after securing multiple subcontracting agreements across the UK through DWP programmes such as Pathways to Work and the Flexible New Deal.
All of Dering’s employees were notified of the situation last Friday, and placed on garden leave, with a redundancy consultation period now underway. DWP and other providers for whom Dering is a subcontractor have also been notified.
The company has claimed that the reasons
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ken
Kyron
ken
Kyron
Are the Con-servatives aiming for making the newly unemployed via redundancies and the longterm unemployed into a secret workforce to lower the cost of public sector wages and help enterprise?
Ipswich Unemployed Action reports about the secret and not well known Private Member’s Bill called the Training Wage Bill, that has been delayed until march for second reading.
The aims isn’t to create a new National Minimum Wage level (such as the £2.50 apprentice rate) but as a way to bypass it. This means there is absolutely no requirement to even pay a person to work, especially if part of the Work Programme, however, more than likely will mean the person will be paid but at a rate considerably lower than the current National Minimum Wage rate.
This is slavery, simply because its a rate
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Work Programme
C.S. Dell
Most commented Work Programme posts of all time
- Refuse Work Programme: part 1(1305 comments)
- Refuse Work Programme: part 1 (extended)(341 comments)
- Flexible New Deal Provider Information(241 comments)
- Refuse Work Programme: part 2!(86 comments)
- Refuse Work Programme when you have participated!(71 comments)
ConDem(n) Government’s plans to replace almost all benefits with a one benefit system called the Universal Credit is likely to end up a huge waste of taxpayers’ money – just like the ID card scheme – warns the Work Programme Network.
We also warn of the “trojan horse spin” for a new Poll Tax like system. (more…)
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As long term unemployment rises with unemployment remaining steady, Work Programme Network can reveal that the failed Flexible New Deal scheme has cost half a billion pounds of hard working taxpayers’ money to only help 16,200 people find work (no figures on whether unique or short term/sustainable jobs) working out at a cost of £31,284 per each job outcome.
Labour Market System trends suggest that the majority of these jobs would be at National Minimum Wage and thus will not net close to a salary of £30,000 per a job. Of course, the tax and National Insurance injections (by the worker and employer) will be far of recouping most of this money back.
Our criticism at the Future Jobs Fund (where the Government paid the salary of an employee for approx 6 months) doesn’t even stack
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This Bill needs to be thrown out. The ConDems through Nick Clegg are forcing through this legislation that restricts the next General Election to 2015! This means, The Queen loses the power to be able to dissolve Parliament. Once this legislation is signed by The Queen, “Royal Assent”, we will all have to wait until 2015 to try to recover from the huge cuts and tory plans.
Of course, there is provisions for votes of no confidence etc. however with a majority Government or a coalition Government this is unlikely to be of any power. The Opposition (Labour) do not appear to be actively fighting the cuts proposed by the Conservatives, thus unlikely to use it. (more…)
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So the Directgov job search website has had its criticisms over the years (its predecessor Jobcentre Plus also had many) in regards to purpose, extent of jobs and features. The Work Programme Network will rip the website to shreds throwing major criticism over the purpose and infrastructure of the public accessible Labour Market System. (more…)
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tony
The Work Programme Network likes to reveal the inner workings of welfare to work poverty pimps in regards to tenders, dominance, blackmail, fraud and general dishonesty. Most of these points have previously been exposed by both the predecessor of this website and other third party sources but something that has clearly been overlooked is how these dominant private businesses actually undertake gaining their business.
The poverty pimp A4e (Action for Employment) have been singled out for purposes of this article because not only are they a member of the Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) but A4e’s executive director Rob Murdoch is the chair of the ERSA!! (more…)
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It is official. Christian poverty pimp YMCA Training’s Dencora House Detention Centre is a sex offender haven. We do not know whether such offenders were regarding sex offences on children, women or men, but YMCA Training have proudly disclosed in their “YMCA Training – getting ready for the Work Programme” PR publication that several customers have a criminal record and are on the sexual offenders register.
This news comes as little surprise how we previously reported how TNG & YMCA Training approves man with mental health issues and a restraining order to Dencora House. (more…)
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Work Programme Network presents the Training Wage Bill. In a nutshell:
“Any person who qualifies for the national minimum wage shall not be entitled if s/he has entered into a written contract of employment stating s/he is to be paid a training wage.”
The bill was much shorter than expected. Earlier requests for a copy was left unanswered, so I assume it was made overnight. It has no prescribed target market as current, which leaves it wide open, and not limited to the unemployed.
This bill opens possibilities for employers to scam to-be employees. The employment contract must state that the employee is being paid a “training wage” – which waivers the right to National Minimum Wage! (A copy of the bill is further in this article.) (more…)
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Cease and Desist
Work Programme
Vicki
From the end of April 2011, the Conservatives are going to surprise Jobseekers Allowance claimants. No, they aren’t going to increase their benefit. A new employment programme scheme called the “Mandatory Work Activity Scheme” will kick in. It is identical to the 4 week Mandatory Work Related Activity period on Flexible New Deal, but with some differences:-
It is a standalone workfare employment programme scheme that all JSA claimants may be subject to from Day 1 of their claim (no minimum entry)
There is no clause preventing a person to be requested to complete it unlimited times
Minimum sanction (first) for refusal, lateness, or failure to “actively participate” is 3 months (13 weeks)
Maximum sanction stands at 6 months. Considering this is lasting only a month
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scunner
jayne
gissajob
S. Martin
Yaboo
If you haven’t read John Domokos’ brilliant article “Jobcentres ‘tricking’ people out of benefits to cut costs, says whistleblower” by now, above is a link to get the opportunity to do so.
The Guardian article spills the beans on a whistleblower who had disclosed that a “culture change” last year has led to a competition of who can sanction the most people – with each Jobcentre Plus staff member being assigned a minimum target of 3 people to sanction each Benefit Week.
This isn’t all completely new though however, loyal readers will remember one of our previous articles Jobcentre Plus unlawfully forces Claimants to sign off. This involved Jobcentre Plus sending out template letters to those who sanctioned stating that they were no longer entitled
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Rob
Work Programme Network
bdfleeford
bdfleeford
Vast anger and projected despair has been developed since the Work Programme contract awards were announced.
Ingeus Deliotte with seven Work Programme contracts had recruited a former Department for Work and Pensions director as its Chief Executive Officer. Ingeus Deloitte has severely underbid experienced providers to secure the contracts which has raised big concerns whether Work Programme prime contractor provider Ingeus Deloitte that has a huge 22.6% market share could even deliver the employment programme at contractual performance levels. (more…)
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Rebecca Pidgeon
Martin Sime, the Chief Executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations has branded the Work Programme a “travesty”. Chris Grayling had declared the Work Programme as “a massive boost for the big society” by claiming voluntary organisations would receive 40 to 50 per cent of work under the programme.
Reality is the voluntary sector are seeing as little as 6% of the Work Programme case load
In Scotland, the voluntary sector is very far off the 40-50% promised… (more…)
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The Work Programme Network previously assisted The Guardian investigation through our Unlawful Sanctions mini site. We reported how Jobcentre Plus bullies disabled off Jobseekers Allowance (the main target for this behaviour) after the infamous The Guardian article and followed up with Jobcentre Plus staff must sanction 3 people per week to meet targets to save public purse and Unfair sanctions on cue to targets.
The Work Programme Network advises that affected people sue Jobcentre Plus as it violates the Equality Act 2010. (more…)
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Work Programme Network
Zig
ECAP Activist
Work Programme Network
Len
From today Monday 18th April 2011, jobseekers of both New Claims and existing claims will be requested to fill in a:
LFW1 04/11 Looking for work “questionnaire” to be handed back to an adviser at the next appointment.
This form has been issued to gather data about you for determination of the Mandatory Work Activity scheme.
The Work Programme Network likes to make the point that completing this form is not mandatory, although its implied that you must (no legislation to enforce you to do so; you also have no contractual obligation to do so either) and refusal may go against you for selection into the Mandatory Work Activity.
Looking for work (NFW1 04/11)
The questionnaire form is double sided, has 5 headings, space for your name, NI and email address at the top of the first side
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Work Programme Network
Dan
Work Programme Network
Lucy
Work Programme Network
Widespread public belief… By Patrick Hennessy, Political Editor 9:00PM BST 23 Apr 2011 (Tory Telegraph) Oh don’t fear, read this article it isn’t all that bad really. Pro-Tory survey probably conducted outside the Tory HQ. (more…)
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Pressure grows on the Tory Coalition Government after John Robertson the Labour MP for Glasgow North West has demanded an investigation whilst also writing to David Cameron and the head of the civil service regarding Conservative MP Chris Grayling’s misconduct in awarding contracts to Deloitte Ingeus after receiving a £27,978 donation-in-kind from Deliotte in 2009. The Work Programme Network recently reported how the charity Wise Group was furious regarding being unsuccessful for such Government welfare-to-work contracts. We also reported the disappointment of how little the voluntary sector is receiving of the contracts after being promised a bigger chunk of the case load. (more…)
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The Work Programme Network is reposting this old article from Flexible New Deal Scandal before the old site is pulled.
I find it absolutely disgusting how DWP staff, management and politicians are all exempt from any blame when it comes to benefit entitlement decisions. Today comes the real life scenario of the DWP who turn their backs on people without a care in the world; in this case it was a woman who was forced to suicide taking her young child with her.
Whereas to most people who fall victim to the dark side of the welfare state having to live deeper into poverty perhaps commiting crime to survive; regardless of the situation there needs to be responsibility for actions. (more…)
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Jason
jason pullen
jason pullen
jason pullen
The Work Programme Network reveals details on the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) which will give extra help to unemployed people who want to start their own business, through the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA).
New Enterprise Allowance Comment on the NEA
Admin note (added 25/09/2011): This article was compiled before much information on the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) was available. Use the above button for more up to date information or click the other button to leave a comment
The New Enterprise Allowance will be available to [selected] Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) customers who have been claiming for 26-weeks or more [2 per jobcentre a month]. Participants will get access to a volunteer business mentor who will provide guidance and support as they develop their business
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Work Programme Network
Work Programme Network
Ross
Work Programme Network
Ross
The Work Programme Network likes to reveal the scandal that is the Jobseekers Act 1995 being hidden from Jobseekers. Originally available on numerous Government websites, its now available just on legislation.gov.uk which happens to be so out of date that for most people relying on such copy happens to be completely useless – we will explain later.
At current there are 3 routes to find the Jobseekers Act 1995, these are as follows:-
legislation.gov.uk (out of date; high in search engines)
DWP website (current version requires following a link in a pdf file; not found so easily in search engine)
JobseekersAct.co.uk (from Work Programme Network: current version)
Of course, first thing anyone does is type Jobseekers Act 1995 in Google, pick the legislation.gov.uk website because its official
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The truth is out… a must read for all jobseekers! Been a while before we exposed anything big. Not a rant.
Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) has been developed as an unjust motivational regime with subsistence allowance enforced by benefit sanctions and subjugation. A practice that has no place in society or would not have if the UK Government and the media didn’t brainwash people into assuming all benefit claimants were fraudulent leechers that didn’t deserve to be kept alive and must be punished financially as opposed by physically because that wouldn’t be seen humane as act of revenge for hard working over-taxed taxpayers making a living trying to pass the buck to limit their subjugation by the state on themselves. (more…)
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ck
Susan McGillvray
The Work Programme Network can reveal details of the six point suicide plan issued to Jobcentre Plus staff.
6 point suicide plan (Declarations of Suicide & Self Harm)
1. Take the statement to self harm or suicide seriously
Listen carefully and clarify. Check your understanding of what was said.
Suspend all other activities you are carrying out.
2. Summon a colleague
Workplace procedures must be in place and you must know how to summon support from a colleague who will act as your ‘support partner’.
This is most likely to be your line manager
Your support partner is there for two reasons – to assist you as you help the customer, and to act as a witness to what was said. They will need to be able to hear, or listen into the conversation, as best they can and record key points as
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From last Tuesday Jobcentre Plus advisers can refer JSA claimants on to the Mandatory Work Activity scheme. This week the start of Mandatory Work Activity contracts in London, the East and Yorkshire & Humberside will begin.
DWP describes this as an “extra push” for jobseekers whom “need more focus“. The press release continues… Jobcentre Plus advisers have the “power to refer” jobseekers to a four week placement if they “believe” the jobseekers allowance claimant will “benefit from experiencing the habits and routines of working life“.
Mandatory Work Activity delivered by a “range of organisations from the private, voluntary and third sector” could include “doing maintenance work for housing residents,
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WE ARE NOT SLAVES
The Work Programme Network is going to reveal the truth about unemployment counts. We aren’t talking about Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) claimant count so you will be able to greater understand why the unemployment figure and claimant counts are widely different.
Just to drop a hint that to be classified as unemployed it doesn’t mean just without a job but requires such person to be seeking work and wanting a job regardless if they are claiming benefit or not. (more…)
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So a new series of The Fairy Jobmother is scheduled to be aired for Tuesday 7th June 2011. I wonder of any readers of this blog remember the two-faced patronising dominatrix ex-A4e employee Hayley Taylor from the previous series? She is still “The Fairy Jobmother” and in this new series she aims to tackle unemployment including via a job club.
I first warn people that this series is likely to be some Government propaganda bullshit:-
Benefits being a lifestyle “choice” (or along those lines) – perhaps for “some” or “many”
Job clubs… Tory policy (although they have existed prior to the 2010 General Election)
Benefit Sanctions
Showcasing welfare reform (i.e. Work Programme, probably Mandatory Work Activity etc.)
Although I have not
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wishface
tony
Videoraptor
Fightback against Jobcentre Plus
So Jobcentre Plus wants you and your family, and probably some of your friends too, dead! Part of this is with the intention of 3 year benefit sanctions… and with employment programmes being more dire to force you into sanctions for refusal, lateness or not actively participating.
Jobcentre Plus is aiming to reduce the Welfare Bill; so the best thing YOU can do is make it more expensive for you being a jobseeker… allow their plans to actually fail with the cost esculating not reducing. This is a parody/joke, but you might enjoy reading this.
1. Claim cycling
They tell you “on ya’ bike” and “sign off if you dont like it”. Why not do a different kind of cycling!?
A long term jobseeker costs relatively little in administration
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Work Programme Network
Michelle
wishface
Work Programme Network
Michelle
Today, the Work Programme Network reveals a letter you may use to try avoiding the Mandatory Work Activity scheme along with instructions of what to do with it!!! Its not fail safe, Jobcentre Plus can decide to ignore it… which is why its down to yourself, if you choose to use it or not, to spread the information around… because the more people who use it the better the chances are of an “opt out“.
New location: Refuse the Mandatory Work Activity Scheme
Notes:
This is just an example, feel free to modify it for your needs.
Its in 3 parts:- EU Law, UK Law, and Misc. You can select all or any parts (make sure you ensure no part is referring to smething you have removed), and even add to it.
If you do not want to risk a benefit sanction, do not send in the letter and
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jayne
gissajob
Work Programme Network
Work Programme Network
jayne
Jobseekers threatened with Mandatory Work Activity scheme have already found out it is unenforceable.
This article extends the scope that all the work for your benefit schemes under Section 17A cannot be enforced due to conflict between different clauses of the law. Whereas jobseekers can be requested to undergo “training” (employment programmes) such as the Work Programme and Mandatory Work Activity; they cannot be forced to work for their benefit. Under New Deal and Flexible New Deal MWRA jobseekers participated in work placements – regardless of the criticism of such, the placements were solely accounted for as to help jobseekers gain employment via new skills and more experience, rather than simply earning their benefits.
This new Section 17A conflicts in law with the
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MartinLangley
Girl on JSA
Craig
Work Programme Network
Work Programme Network
Probably one of the most proactive ways for jobseekers who are yet to forced on to the Mandatory Work Activity, if they are to be one of the 20,000 people, is to contact their MP in advance to express their outrage. If you are not unemployed, you can still raise this with your MP. Workfare is not solely about poor treatment of the individuals involved but also about replacing jobs with unsustainable slave labour which only forces the working class’ wages lower.
The first thing you will need to do is find out who your MP is and their address.
The second thing you will need to do is create a letter to send to them (such as customising the following template letter):-
Dear [MP NAME]
RE: Mandatory Work Activity Scheme
I write to you … [PERSONALISE THIS WHOLE PARAGRAPH: in your own words
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Holy Smoke
Bea
Work Programme Network
Kyron
The Justice Secretary Ken Clarke is pressing on with legal aid reforms designed to cut down on the annual £2 billion plus legal aid bill to which a Ministry of Justice spokesperson calls “one of the most expensive legal aid systems in the world” . Legal aid will no longer routinely be available for most private family law cases, clinical negligence, employment, immigration, some debt and housing issues, some education cases, and welfare benefits. This is pretty much everything except most notably human right cases for prisoners and criminal rights.
This could prove tricky in particular for those defending Jobcentre Plus decisions, policies and actions; in particular in regards to the unlawful workfare schemes and the 3 year benefit sanctions waiting around the corner.
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Understanding Jobseekers Allowance
Work Programme Network presents “Understanding Jobseekers Allowance: the parallel elements”. If you want to understand how the Jobseekers Act 1995 works (and related legislation) we recommend the read of this article. We are testing a new wordpress plugin so only 80% or so of the article is available until you like it on facebook. The article should be fine for those whom dont have facebook as only the extra parts are blocked.
This serves only as an introduction to Jobseekers Allowance and the Jobseekers Act 1995 and other related legislation such as the Jobseekers Allowance Regulations 1996.
The first element required is people must understand authority! (I didn’t say give in to it.) (more…)
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COMPLY OR BE SANCTIONED
Miles Granger
Work Programme Network
Work Programme Network
James Dean
Work Programme Network reveals today of how to refuse the Work Programme. As its the Conservatives wanna be flagship welfare reform policy up until Universal Credit, we have decided to split up this into two parts! This means it will be more time consuming for them and allows them to create a decision which can be destroyed in part 2! (more…)
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(if any):
Work Programme Network
Maria
WP Resistance
gissajob
gissajob
For a better method follow this button: Refuse the Work Programme by Refusing to Sign
This article is solely for those who have already been contacted by a provider since being unlawfully referred to them by Jobcentre Plus. This step must be taken in addition to Part 1: Refuse the Work Programme!
If you have not been contacted by a provider yet and have not been given an appointment simply stick to the letter in part 1, otherwise if you have been given an appointment, do both.
This is for the Work Programme, not the Mandatory Work Activity scheme!!
Due to Work Programme Network restructuring the content has now moved:
Refuse the Work Programme Part 1: extended (provider)
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(if any):
Misteriz
gissajob
Misteriz
Surplus Labour
SmithnBloggs
Work Programme Network is proud to announce Part 2 of Refuse the Work Programme!!
(more…)
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(if any):
John
ECAP
gissajob
Rob
Piggy
Today Work Programme Network exposes the DMA Scandal by Jobcentre Plus.
Why does decision notices of entitlement for Jobseekers Allowance always reads “the law says we cannot pay you“?
This is solely due to a long overdue scandal to be exposed. Jobcentre Plus is aware of how lacking detail such letters are and claims its too expensive to put right. Actually, there is a much sinister motive for “the law says we cannot pay you” or the one stating you haven’t paid enough National Insurance contributions (although you are claiming Income-based JSA).
Supremacy: If the law says you cannot be paid then you have no defence. Find the law(s) and prove its wrong – but there are thousands of legislation regarding Social Security… good luck with that!
Anti-Transparency:
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(if any):
Work Programme Network
Brendan
yossa
Rob
Ipswich Unemployed Action has published a letter for jobseekers attending the Work Programme, who now wishes not to take any further part. The letter is as below (follow the link):
Letter of Refusal for those who have consented to Work Programme under Duress
Work Programme Network advice:
Check the version of your letter to make sure it doesn’t contain the words “Employment, Skills and Enterprise Scheme” (rumours has it newer versions are “v1 March 2011″ not “v1 June 2011″ which have added this)
Keep attending until permission granted not to attend (but refuse to participate and sign in the meanwhile)
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(if any):
Eowyn Rohan
gissajob
ck
Yaboo
ck
The honeymoon period is over. Early indications are clearly showing the “Refuse the Work Programme” (refusewp.com and other websites) efforts are more successful than DWP initially hoped. At the start they were unsure what to do.
Now, it is of great regret to announce that DWP is sanctioning everyone refusing the scheme as an attempt to kill off criticisms regarding the legality of the scheme. The Work Programme Network and Refusewp.com are aware of 3 different versions (they kept changing it) of the Work Programme notification letter – neither adequate.
It is a sanctionable offence to refuse an employment programme!!!
..but the “Work Programme” isn’t an “employment programme” – there is no law prescribing such scheme for such definition.
Write
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(if any):
loadbang
ECAP
gissajob
Surplus Labour
JONNO
This relates to the scheme known as “Work Experience” a two to eight week work placement; not to be confused with Mandatory Work Activity, the Work Programme or placements on previous schemes such as New Deal and Flexible New Deal MWRA.
The Work Programme Network reveals the “probationary period” a little known “good cause” for leaving. The Work Experience scheme is categorised as “voluntary” (not mandatory) although sanctions are always around the corner.
Work Experience
The definition in law:-
Work Experience, being a programme consisting of work experience, job search skills and job skills, provided in pursuance of arrangements made by or on behalf of the Secretary of State under section 2 of the Employment and Training Act 1973, of between
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We are soon launching a review website so people can express their honest views of the Work Programme – both positive and negative. This consists of a free text for reviews and five 5 star ratings – to easily determine the best and worst providers. *This is the first Third Generation web 2.0 website to be launched eventually replacing this website.* (more…)
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wishface
Brennan
Work Programme Network
Work Programme Network
Chris
The Work Programme Network is happy to announce that the Training Wage Bill has been withdrawn.
We had took our eye off following this Bill which was expected to reach its Second Reading on the 9th September 2011.
We don’t know how long it has been withdrawn but as we had previously raised concerns on this website, it is best to alert everyone that the third anti-NMW bill has died. A mini-Victory. But more Tory workfare on the Work Programme?
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Work Programme Network
Seems Atos Origin has been busy trying to silence many people (and websites). Work Programme Network investigates.
Some of the logos designed for Atos:-
Atos Silences Critics
Atos has been doing a lot of silencing and censorship activities in the last year or so.
CarersWatch has been one of the recent to join the list of closed down websites by Atos. We will look into the offending article which took the website down and see if there is anything wrong with it.
Atos Macht Frei – Atos Origin Team Up With Gas Chamber Firm!
Atos Origin, the poverty pimps currently pocketing hundreds of millions harassing people who are claiming sickness or disability benefits have teamed up with manufacturers of the holocaust’s gas chambers Siemens.
Siemens will contribute its Siemens IT Solutions & Services
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Another day in British life:- News of another benefit scrounger defrauding the British taxpayer emerges. Another day in British life:- News of another benefit scrounger defrauding the British taxpayer emerges. Not the odd few grand but years of theft, fraud and deceit racking up to a value of over £60,000. While claiming to be sick (suffering from stress) at the British taxpayers’ expense, this benefit scrounging thief offered her time and services to seek work which was caught by undercover filming by Channel 4. The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute her some years later following the start of the investigation for a total of 21 different charges: 15 of which for false accounting (Theft Act 1968) and 6 charges of forgery (Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981).
We are
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yossa
James beadle
Work Programme Network reveals that Atos Origin employ doctors who may be registered with the General Medical Council, but have not been licensed to practise in the UK. Some ESA appeals have been successful partly due to this fact.
“[tests] being carried out by a large number of doctors who are under serious investigation.”
Neil Bateman, a solicitor who handles ESA appeals, said on two occasions his clients had been successful because, among other reasons, the doctor assessing them had qualified in Romania and registered with the GMC but had not been licensed to practise in Britain.
Source: The Guardian.
Knowledge relay
This is a snippet from an article (source above) almost a month old. It isn’t breaking news (quite clearly) however we felt this information would be of value
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Work Programme
1: Babcock International
2: A4e *
3: Learndirect (UFI)*
4: Kaplan
5: BPP
6: QA
7: ESG Group* (Sheffield Trainers Ltd, Sencia, Triangle Training, Orient Gold, Platinum Training)
8: JHP Group*
9: Pearson in Practice
10: Aviation Training International
11: Avanta Enterprise* (TNG)
12: Reed in Partnership*
13: Wilmington Group
14: Informa
15: Pertemps*
16: Petrofac
17: Elmfield Training
18: First4skills
19: Euromoney training
20: Skills Training UK*
See all Top 50 Training Companies. We will continue with just the relevant places:
22: Business Employment
Work Programme Network announces a new website containing our best articles without the comments!
Work Programme
ECAP was the last person to post a comment in this topic.
How much would you pay to cover your back and at what terms?
A theoretical question.
If there was some organisation that could ensure you weren’t exploited by workfare or benefit sanctions, designed not to profit but to cover costs, how much would you spend to ensure you weren’t getting stood on and taken advantage of?
Act as an agent on your behalf
Can contact Jobcentre Plus as a representative if you wish
Limit or eliminate the possibility of workfare
Similar to a trade union in certain respects
Mediate with providers and Jobcentre
WPN has been the talk over the last week or so it seems. At the time of typing this we are 50% back up to capacity. I feel it would be a good idea to explain the reasons beyond the downtime:- (more…)
The Health Lottery is a society lottery, not an national lottery. Each society lottery (equates roughly to each UK county) must receive £1,000,000 per draw for people to win the prizes as advertised. As the tickets cost £1 they need to sell a million tickets in each area to pay out in full.
If there is over £15 million in prizes won in a single draw, the prizes will be reduced (£15m prize cap)
If there is over £12 million worth of the £50 prize amount won in a single draw, the amount will be reduced (same also with the £500 amount)
If you
Eowyn Rohan was the last person to post a comment in this topic.
What is wrong with Jobcentre Plus Employment Programmes?
By this we mean (for example):
New Deal (NDYP, ND25+) (ETF, VSO, SE, NDDP, NDLP) etc.
Flexible New Deal
Work Programme*
Mandatory Work Activity scheme
(* not really an employment programme but will be treated as such for purposes of this article)
There will be many people viewing this website, reading articles and commenting, who have experienced 2 or more of the above schemes over the years… What is wrong with Jobcentre Plus Employment Programmes?
Why do they always fail? In reality
Surplus Labour was the last person to post a comment in this topic.
This blog appears to be doing great in Google, not too bad in Bing and terrible in Yahoo Search (although apparently powered by Bing). Where in the results does this website www.workprogramme.org.uk appear?
Search engines are increasingly becoming dynamic… you do not have to log in but they (Google) will track your browsing habits to change the relevance of the results… then there is the matter of how many results you request per page, your internet browser, whether you search the World or UK and what location you have set (where applicable).
www.workprogramme.org.uk
Work Programme Network was the last person to post a comment in this topic.
Watching BBC News, I welcomed the Health Lottery addition. The National Lottery has a major monopoly and its near impossible to win for so many people. Smaller prizes but more chance of winning is all good… its also £1 like the proper lottery. Only 20% of ticket sales go to health charities (28% of National Lottery tickets go to “good causes” which goes to pointless art projects so the 8% makes no real difference).
Richard Desmond Health Lottery Scam
In brief:-
The Health Lottery Ltd.
One company.
Health Lottery ELM Ltd (THL)
The
SEATROUT was the last person to post a comment in this topic.
DWP has lied about the WP05 WorkProgramme start notification letter.
DWP FoI Request
Surplus Labour
29 August 2011
Dear Department for Work and Pensions,
Please confirm the dates that different versions of the Work
Programme “Start Notification Letter” (identified as WP05 (v x.x
(date)) were made available to Jobcentre Plus Offices for use in
providing JSA Customers with that WP05 Work Programme Invitation.
Yours faithfully,
Surplus Labour
Dear DWP Adelphi Freedom-of-Information-Request,
You appear not to have noticed that my request
Using salary figures from 2009+, the cost to the taxpayer (excluding cost of Employment Programmes* such as the Work Programme, the Jobseekers Allowance benefit cost itself and specific benefit administration costs, capital and overheads^ and benefit sanctions/DMA processing) for a jobseeker individually is £237.10 – assuming a 1.47 million claimant count (figure of JSA claimants) makes £348,537,000 annual bill.
If we add £400 start fee for the Work Programme this jumps to £936,537,000 (£637.10) – close to a billion pounds.
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