Social Fund Reforms Are 'a Trojan Horse' To Privatisation Says Union

摘要

Public servants have challenged government plans to impose charges on emergency loans, designed to help local residents through the credit crunch. The Public and Commercial Services trade union, which represents Jobcentre Plus staff, said the decision to reform the Social Fund was 'outrageous'. The union also claimed the plan, outlined in a Department for Work and Pensions consultation document, would lead to the de facto privatisation of the service. Work and pensions secretary, James Purnell, published his proposed overhaul of the Social Fund, which offers emergency loans and grants to people on low incomes who have difficulties getting commercial loans, on 2 December.