Ipswich Unemployed Action.

I have found a website that claims that the sanction and dismissals made through Jobcentre Plus by training providers awarded a contract by the Department of Work and Pensions are illegal. If correct, this is a major concern. This website specifically mentions about the Gateway 2 Work provision even though I presume it is the same with the main 13 week New Deal courses. New Deal participants may be extremely interested in reading this…

The website claims that because the New Deal courses are provided by a private organisation that in fact the training provider has NO legal right to force Jobseekers to:

• Sign agreements to comply with the New Deal course(this obviously means everything other than the referral form given at the Jobcentre)
• Provide private and personal information(the organisation has already received this information from the Jobcentre anyway)
• Sit in packed or uncomfortable rooms or have to stand
• Undergo educational exercises by unreasonable methods such as motivational exercises, proactive and reactive exercises, and psychological stressing
• Provide copies of job search, job applications, CV’s, speculative letters and other letters
• Be photographed for any reason whether for security or job related reason
• Supply contact details of family (including Next of Kin) and doctor
• Take part in physical team building exercises
• Complete self-assessments and company evaluation forms
• Disclose medical conditions and disabilities
• Disclose details of any criminal convictions and probation
• Be referred for counselling of any kind or forced into mentoring
• Be lectured on personal hygiene, clothes or mentality/personality

The problem however is on a daily basis people are dismissed for refusing the above which they are in their rights to do however Jobcentre Plus warrants the dismissal and applies for sanctions. Even small elements such as not completing questionnaires/evaluation sheets are categorised under not cooperating, not participating in the activity and not making a contribution – these are nothing to do with the New Deal course!!

The site continues:

After a ‘home’ telephone call and/or a short 1 hour hearing (or both) with a single Jobcentre Plus ‘Area Manager’ and without any legal representation, Jobcentre-Plus are authorised by The Law and with the Authority of the Secretary of State to refer you to The Benefits Agency for a Sanction by reducing or stopping benefits for:

1. two weeks for a first failure to meet New Deal Option requirements;
2. four weeks for a second failure incurred within 12 months of a previous New Deal sanction;
3. twenty-six weeks for a third failure incurred within 12 months of a previous sanction;

 

 

Whatever the outcome of the referral, your  case is not likely to be properly represented by The Benefits Agency because the decision makers have little else other than the ND3 Jobseekers Declaration and the recommendations of The Jobcentre Plus ’Area Manger’ to  help them make a  decision.

This seriously has to stop and I hope this wont continue with Flexible New Deal even though we both know it will.

Ipswich Unemployed Action calls for an independent body to regulate dismissals, complaints and sanctions.

I would like to know anyone who has been dismissed for one of the reasons above even though they had no authority to demand you to do so. What are your views? Would love to hear your views on this one. DWP included!

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