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Labour Attack Cameron's Paid Volunteer Scheme

Labour Attack Cameron's Paid Volunteer Scheme

Around 15 million people will be able to take three days' paid leave a year to do voluntary work under Conservative plans - but there appears to be confusion about how this would be implemented.

David Cameron revisited his Big Society theme from the 2010 election by announcing the move would "strengthen communities".

It will apply to employees of firms with at least 250 staff - an estimated 10 million in the private sector and five million in the public sector.

The Working Time regulations will be changed to entitle employees to 28 days' paid holiday and three days' paid volunteering or serving as a school governor, the Prime Minister said.

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He added: "This election is about building a better future for our children and grandchildren.

"The foundation stone of that better future is our economic security. But Conservatives know the society we build on top of that is just as important too.

"That's why today's announcement is a double win. It's good for our economy, as it will help create a better, more motivated workforce.

"And it's good for our society, too, as it will strengthen communities and the bonds between us."

However, the plans appeared to unravel when Communities Secretary Eric Pickles was asked about the cost to private companies.

He appeared to suggest, in what Labour former deputy prime minister John Prescott later described as a "car crash" interview, that firms will not be forced to organise paid time off for employees to volunteer - despite Mr Cameron's promises.

Mr Pickles indicated that workers who want to take paid leave to volunteer will have to be flexible with the time off promised by the PM if it causes problems to their company.

Asked whether the scheme would put a burden on companies, Mr Pickles told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The short answer is no.

"It's no different from annual leave and these companies will get a benefit of having an engaged workforce, they're going to have the advantage of putting something back into society, and it's all about ensuring that volunteering is something that people can do.

"Nobody is forcing anybody to volunteer and no-one is forcing companies to organise this volunteering if it causes problems to the company."

Mr Pickles was unclear on whether companies would be granted exemptions if they could not afford to grant the time off work.

Asked if there would be such provisions in the legislation, he said: "We expect a bit of give and take on this in the same way we expect people to have a bit of give and take with regard to annual leave."

Labour attacked the plans, saying they would cost the UK economy millions of pounds.

Shadow minister Lisa Nandy said: "This is a re-announcement from David Cameron that has unravelled before it's even been made.

"Giving every public servant three extra days off could cost millions of pounds but there's no sense of how it will be paid for.

"If just half of public sector workers took this up it would be the time equivalent of around 2,000 nurses, 800 police and almost 3,000 teachers."

However, they have received support from some quarters, with Mike Rake, chairman of BT saying: "Corporate volunteering is a triple win - a win for the community, a win for individuals doing the volunteering, and a win for companies."

Survival expert Bear Grylls said: "Any initiative that encourages people to volunteer is good news.

"All of us struggle to find extra time and that's why to have firm government support that enables millions to volunteer is a huge step forward towards building solid communities all around the UK."

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