Work Programme is putting charities' futures at risk, warn sector bodies

NCVO and the Employment Related Services Association have warned that charities financial sustainability is threatened under the Work Programme.

An NCVO survey of 100 voluntary sector subcontractors found that 79% felt that primes fail to shielf them from financial risk. 71% felt the Merlin Standard was inadequate in regulating prime benhaviour. In addition, charities are unhappy with the amount of referrals to them: 58% in Tier One and 72% in Tier Two. 

NCVO calls on urgent government action to increase referrals of Employment and Support Allowance recipients to the Work Programme, which the voluntary sector typically support due to their specialist needs. 

For more information visit the NCVO website.