Mixed views on community work

I’VE mixed views on the prime minister’s plans for 18 to 21-year-olds who have been out of work, education or training for six months to take on unpaid community work to get benefits. 

I agree on the principle that you don’t get money for nothing, and it could be a deterrent for those knowingly working the system. But when is this government going to realise there aren't jobs around for people to walk into. There may be jobs in the affluent south east.

As for training schemes, I get the feeling these are just ways for employers to get cheap labour and at the end of the scheme people are thrown back on the dole. 

To me it seems like this could add stigma to young unemployed, which is not always deserved. 

The answer must surely be more genuine jobs for people, jobs that people genuinely want to do, not jobs they are forced into. People who are happy in their employment make happier workers which in turn is passed on to work quality. 

Liz Hodge, via Facebook