On Saturday 1st June the music exchange store run by the Nottingham homeless charity Framework was picketed by Notts Against Workfare. Displaying banners and handing out leaflets campaigners explained to the shoppers and passersby the shitty business Framework have got themselves involved in. Most people we talked to were disappointed that a charity which does admirable work would not make the connection between forced work, benefits sanctions and homelessness.

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Framework, having recently admitted that it is using labour from DWP Mandatory Work Schemes to supplement its voluntary apprenticeship programmes. Whilst the head honchos at Framework like chief executive Andrew Redfearn continue to act as if they shouldn't be embarrassed, staff who are further down the totum pole continue to show a combination of disgust and irritation at their employers actions.

Notts Against Workfare campaigner Cameron Frazer says "actions against Framework will continue as we seek to highlight their disgraceful abuse of members of the working class."

Benefits claimants placed on the Work Programme face benefit sanctions and ultimately the loss of their homes if they do not participate in unpaid labour. Oxfam, Shelter, the homeless charity SHP, Sense and the PDSA have all refused to participate in these government schemes because they feel that Workfare exacerbates social exclusion and penalises the poorest in society.

Framework has a training and employment side project called EVE Works, which delivers the Work Programme as a subcontractor to A4e in Nottinghamshire. Framework has also set up a wholly owned community interest company (CIC) called EVE Trades to deliver and manage its social enterprise activities. Mandatory work activity is used in the businesses and participants are referred to as "volunteers", despite the fact that they are obliged to participate or risk losing their benefits.

In some cases Framework has ended paid apprenticeships for participants, such as those offered under its Paint It project, and replaced them with mandatory unpaid Workfare placements. Campaigners claim that this is in order for Framework to provide itself with “free labour” and reduce its costs. These changes have been introduced since the charity warned 200 members of staff that they could face redundancy in 2011 and introduced extensive wage cuts.

Framework has admitted that it has taken on more than 2,000 people on the Work Programme but claims not to have made any money through the scheme in spite of the fact that providers are paid hundreds of pounds for each participant they take on.

In fact a minimum, no strings payment of £400 is made to workfare contractors for every claimant placed on the Work Programme. If the claimant goes on to find work and remains off benefits this can payment can rise to up to £4,400 after 18 months. At the most conservative end of the estimate, over £800,000 has changed hands for forcing these claimants into Workfare. 1.

According to Nottingham Against Workfare campaigner Mikhail Goldman, “Workfare is not simply exploitative – if allowed to continue, it will exacerbate housing problems for the poorest and most vulnerable in society hugely.”

“Shamefully, Framework claims that the Work Programme benefits the unemployed and will reduce homelessness. We intend to show them that they are wrong.”

“The work programme” - DWP (figure 3) https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file