"Volunteer" at Poundland or lose benefits

Work programme 'incompatible' with EU human rights laws, says judge

Iain Duncan Smith has pledged to appeal after a judge ruled that emergency legislation introduced over his flagship back-to-work programme is “incompatible” with European human rights laws.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said that it “disagrees” with Mrs Justice Lang, who said that retrospective legislation introduced interfered with the "right to a fair trial" under the European Convention on Human Rights.

Human rights lawyers said the judgment was a "damning assessment" and, if upheld on appeal, could lead to some £130 million having to be paid out to thousands of jobseeker's allowance claimants denied benefits under the schemes.

A DWP spokesman said the Government will now appeal.

“We’re pleased the court recognised that if claimants do not play by the rules and meet their conditions to do all they can to look for work and get a job, we can stop their benefits,” the spokesman said. “That is only right.

“However, we disagree with the judgment on the legislation and are disappointed. It was discussed, voted on and passed by Parliament.

“While this applies to only a minority of past cases and does not affect the day to day business of our Jobcentres, we think this is an important point and will appeal."

Yes, the muppets will waste more of our money on appealing, than they will ever save by stopping benefits.

Anything IDS touches turns rapidly to the brown sticky smelly stuff, and will continue to do so, because he isn't fit to sit as an MP, never mind be a cabinet minister.