Work Scheme Protesters Branded 'Job Snobs'

Critics of the Government's work experience scheme have been branded "job snobs" by Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, as more protests are planned against Tesco.

Mr Duncan Smith has been forced to defend the policy of giving young people unpaid work experience in exchange for Jobseeker's Allowance and expenses.

Under the scheme, the young unemployed work 30 hours a week for eight weeks, after which they may be interviewed for a permanent job.

Anyone that drops out after the first week faces having their benefits withdrawn.

The scheme, which has been denounced as "slave labour" by critics, is supported by major chains including Boots, McDonald's, Argos, Tesco and Primark.

One of Tesco's supermarkets in central London was forced to close on Saturday after it was invaded by members of the Right to Work campaign, angry at a job advert looking for permanent workers in exchange for expenses and Jobseeker's Allowance.

The group plans to hold protests at a number of other Tesco stores, including two in London and one in Kingston-upon-Thames on Wednesday.

Tesco said the advert had been "misunderstood" and blamed a computer error by Jobcentre Plus.

In an article for the Daily Mail Mr Duncan Smith insisted stacking shelves was better than dreaming of becoming a star on reality programmes like The X Factor.

"Those critics waging a war against work experience also forget that some of this country's most successful businessmen and women started their careers on the shop floor," he wrote.

"As well as betraying their ignorance and snobbery, our opponents have pathetically opted to use human rights laws, making claims about people being subjected by force to 'slave labour'."

Mr Duncan Smith insisted the scheme is so popular it is oversubscribed and after 13 weeks on placement around half of youngsters had taken up permanent posts or stopped claiming benefits.

He added that people who believe young people should work only if they are able to find their dream job were in danger of "creating a society with a twisted culture that thinks being a celebrity or appearing on The X Factor is the only route worth pursuing in life".

But Sam James, chairman of the Right to Work campaign, said: "Based on the Government's own figures, these schemes have already provided more than £67.5m in free labour to businesses that make billions in profit.

"Why is the Government subsidising Tesco with our money when it could be investing to create the millions of jobs needed to end the unemployment crisis?

"It is Tesco's responsibility to pay properly for its staff - not the Government's. They should pull out of the scheme like Sainsbury's and others."

Meanwhile, businesses and charities in England are to be paid for every jobless 16 and 17-year old they manage to get into work or training.

It is part of a plan by the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg aimed at reducing youth unemployment.