Tesco and Argos express work scheme concerns Tesco and Argos express work scheme concerns

Stores including Tesco and Argos have expressed concerns over a government work experience scheme which has been derided by critics as "slave labour".

The "sector-based work academy scheme" lets those on unemployment benefit work for a period without losing payments.

But Argos says it wants assurances that young people who do not take part will keep their benefits and Tesco has offered to pay those on placements.

However, the government insists the scheme is an "excellent" opportunity.

The comments come on a day when the government has launched a separate £126m scheme which gives companies cash incentives to take on and train more teenagers with poor qualifications.

The number of 16 to 24-year-olds who are out of work has risen above one million for the first time, leading to concerns they could become a "lost generation" in employment terms

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17116473

I seem to remember an idea being floated here that would've seen those on unemployment benefits work at least part time to earn their benefit came out, the poop really hit the fan when it became public because it would've had those on benefits picking up rubbish in places like public beaches and around the streets. A lot of people screamed "slave labour" then too and said it'd be better to get the people trained and better educated so they could get work.

The idea seems to have died a natural death, I guess it's cheaper for the government to have them on a benefit rather than have to pay for people to be trained and get work skills, IMHO it was a bit short sighted on the governments part because I feel if people get better educated while on a benefit they'll have a better chance of getting a decent job and then paying taxes instead of sucking up tax money that could be used in other places...

if people are made to work for benefits it takes paid jobs away,so all they are creating is more unemployed to do more jobs so to speak,so where does it end,everyone working for £50pw in my opinion