‘Get Britain Working’ scheme to be given the once over by retailers

Following a backlash over the government’s new ‘Get Britain Working’ scheme, Tesco has announced that it will now pay people who take part, whilst other major retailers have already bowed out.

Allocating un-paid placements to 18 – 24 year olds, the ‘Get Britain Working’ campaign aims to fight poverty, support the vulnerable and most importantly, break the cycle of benefit dependency. However, under the scheme, young people sign up to an eight week placement and if they drop out early, risk losing two weeks’ worth of Job Seeker’s benefits.

Tesco acted ahead of planned protests, which were due to happen today, by campaigners who have described the scheme as ‘slave labour’ following an advert posted by Tesco looking for night-shift workers who would only be paid expenses. Tesco’s alternative scheme now offers a four week placement with a guaranteed permanent job at the end, providing the worker has performed satisfactorily.

Argos owner the Home Retail Group and Superdrug will meet with the Department for Work and Pensions next week to iron out issues surrounding the loss of benefits and lack of pay before going ahead. Matalan, BHS and Maplin have already suspended their involvement in the scheme, leaving ministers battling to save it.