Tough on crime, tough on the unemployed

In a further sign of a punitive turn in employment policy, The Times reports (subscription required) that the long-term unemployed could soon find themselves working alongside those on court-ordered community punishments.

Under the so-called 'Help to Work' scheme, those who have been on the Work Programme for two years could face up to 750 hours 'forced volunteering' placements. The maximum those on a court-ordered community sentence can be expected to work unpaid is currently 300 hours.