Schemes face ‘cheap labour’ charge

Young offenders entering private-sector training and employment
schemes are at risk of exploitation, according to a new
report.

The report by the Social Market Foundation raised concerns that
cheap labour was “disguised as training” in some schemes, and
warned this could leave young offenders earning as little as
£14 a week.

The report, due out later this month, found schemes were “open to
claims of exploitation,” and called for “absolute transparency”
from employers and better monitoring.

Young offenders also faced discrimination from employers as they
were perceived as a risk. Benefit restrictions on the number of
hours spent in work and training that young offenders could
undertake are cited by the reported as a major obstacle for
employers.

While the report found that there were few schemes for young
offenders, one successful scheme reported a 7 per cent rate in
re-offending, compared with a national average of around 70 per
cent.

• Private Sector Provision of Employment Services for Young
  Adults at Risk: www.smf.co.uk