A new scheme that will force unemployed people into unpaid work is in trouble on its first day, with dozens of charities and faith groups refusing to take part.
Faith groups and charities have been warned that they could end up exploiting people if they take part in the government's new "Community Work Placements".
YMCA England has faced a protest at its London offices over its continued participation in “workfare” schemes that force unemployed people to work without pay.
The Boycott Workfare campaign network has kicked off a Week of Action to Stop Workfare and Sanctions across the UK. It runs through to 8 December 2013.
By requiring people to work without pay, the government's workfare schemes are pushing more and more people into poverty and unemployment, says Ekklesia associate Symon Hill. Christian organisations need to campaign against workfare, not participate in it, he argues.
Several Christian charities are facing protests for participating in "workfare" schemes under which unemployed people must work for free or lose their benefits.