'ANOTHER BLOW TO WORKFARE'!

The following report has been sent to NV by Boycott Workfare.

Last week saw workfare suffer another massive blow. The High Court ruled that nearly every back-to-work every scheme introduced under this government was unlawful and quashed them.

Whilst the judgment did not affect Mandatory Work Activity (MWA), the government was dealt a further blow by campaigners when two more charities- Sense and the Children's Society - said they will join the boycott of the scheme. High Street retailer Wilkinson's has also confirmed it will nolonger take part in workfare. http://www.boycottworkfare.org/?p=2009

150,000 PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO RECLAIM THEIR BENEFITS:

The implication of the High Court ruling is that all sanctions on the unlawful schemes should be immediately stopped, and that all sanctions on these schemes were unlawful. In effect this means the government could be forced to repay all the money it illegally withheld from those on JSA. Needless to say, the DWP are refusing to pay until they have tried to appeal this judgement, but they are not expected to be successful. It also has to issue new letters to those currently on workfare schemes informing them of these facts.

Oddly two workfare schemes 'CAP and WorkExperience' appear to be missing from the latest regulations. Which could actually mean the government has abandoned them. Find out more about what this means here: http://www.boycottworkfare.org/?p=2035

NEW REGULATIONS TO TRY TO MAKE WORKFARE LEGAL:

Iain Duncan Smith rushed through new regulations last Wednesday to try and make workfare legal. Until you get a new letter about the scheme you are on (apart from MWA), then you should not be obliged to take part. Sadly the letters are starting to arrive on people's doorsteps. But its not over yet. Workfare is wobbling and now is the time to keep pushing. You can help with a warm up by pressing your MP to sign a motionwhich could see workfare put to a vote. Yeah, we know, we have little faith in politicians either, but this is a key time to make your MP show their allegiances. Please also email us your MP's response for our future reference. http://www.boycottworkfare.org/?p=2045

NEXT MONTH TAKE PART IN THE WEEK OF ACTION:

Without places to send people to do workfare, the schemes must collapse.To this end join us for our upcoming week of action: look out forcall-outs for online action and plan an action in your area:http://www.boycottworkfare.org/?p=1996