When the Archbishop of Canterbury is informed he has incurred the wrath of the Murdoch press this morning (Sun called him a "chump") he may be reassured he is on the right track.
Rowan Williams's fairly gently critique of IDS's plans to coerce the long-term unemployed into £1 an hour 'jobs' deserved to be much more robust. He only said those on benefits were not necessarily "wicked, stupid or lazy." The plan is a kind of 'pub wisdom' or crackpot suggestion from the Young Conservatives usually dismissed by more experienced members of the cabinet. This looks destined to be instituted, meaning it has approval from the very top.
It is far from clear what economic benefits it will serve. If there were huge amounts of vacancies unfilled then a more convincing justification could be made. But there are at least 5 jobless to every post. IDS says it will instill a work ethic an so furthers his impression of a rather batey and remote Latin prep master devising fiendish punishments for the lower fourth.
But at least the Coalition concede it is punishment for being unemployed. Danny 'Beaker' Alexander, admitted the policy was a "sanction" perhaps he did not realise it means the same as a penalty. We'll see if there is as much enthusiasm for making unemployed managerial staff pick litter for £30 a week.
Under Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights, work can only be compulsory if in prison, as part of military service or in a case of national emergency. I would have thought a legal challenge could defeat this odious plot to chain gang the unemployed.
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