workfare

Growth is down but employment is up. It’s a conundrum for economists. Can we rely on the jobless figures or is the government cooking the books? FactCheck finds out.

Even if the government did absolutely nothing to help them, a certain percentage of people would find work off their own bat. The Work Programme can only be said to be “working” – or having any effect at all – if providers are doing better than this “non-intervention” rate.

“Confusion reigns, and despite repeated phone calls and several days to think about it, DWP has declined to clarify the situation.”

“Much like the French Foreign Legion, the scheme is “entirely voluntary” to enter, but there may be an element of compulsion later on if you decide to leave.”