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The government praised the work program as a "great society" to promote local charities. But the evidence suggests that large private companies are the real winners

There is an amazing interview on Radio Five Live with the work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, who asked what is done for the "Great Society". Quick as a flash, he replied:

"I created the program of work that has to do with the voluntary sector and the private sector."

his words, recorded last week at the annual conference of the Conservative Party, suggests Duncan Smith is either wrong, or kept in the dark of their officers. No fewer than three reports were released this week show that although the program (WG) has a lot to see the private sector, which is in grave danger of having little to do with the "great society" or the voluntary sector .

My Guardian of the company that was based on the findings of the inspection reports of the Association of heads of volunteer organizations (Aceves), and the London Voluntary Services Council (LVSC). Since then I have seen two reports, one by the National Council of Voluntary Agencies (released this week) and one (published in June), by location, community organizations representing small.

all reach the same conclusions: that prime contractors or companies operate their exclusion from the voluntary sector and sub-contractors of social enterprises, endangering many of bankruptcy. They find that the program does not meet the needs of job seekers as vulnerable homeless people, ex-offenders, and single mothers.

I also sent a link to a blog by volunteers illuminating the area Northwest (VSNW), reporting a meeting of entrepreneurs WP voluntary sector in the region (the message is also the source of Iain Duncan Smith interview that I mentioned above).

It describes some of the allegations of abuse and deprivation - some minor, some serious, some financial institutions, some bureaucratic - imposed by the charity business sub-contractors. This includes this remarkable statement:

"It is necessary to check that VCS organizations complete their contribution to the work program for the underpayment or non-existent. Many organizations have expressed concern that prime contractors are trying to access the services tertiary free. "

We will re-application, but Duncan Smith that the work program has to do with the voluntary sector.

There are two main areas where the voluntary sector could be involved in WP: as regional contractors (the effective management of officers of the Department for Work and Pensions [DWP]) or as a by- contractors, provided support services to use.

The second group consists of two types: "first level" entrepreneurs who are "end to end" customer support unemployed and "second tier" contractors, for specific "place purchased" support customers with special needs.

major contracts were mostly companies: the likes of Deloitte Ingeus and A4e. The report summarizes NCVO:

"Of the 18 organizations selected are just two of CSOs [civil society organizations] Of the 40 major contracts offered by DWP only three have been granted to the sector of civil society, leaving 35 or 88 -.% -. is private sector organizations "

reported earlier, the Minister for Employment, Chris Grayling, suggested that it did not matter because the voluntary sector to play an important role in the levels of under contractors. But as NCVO to:

"[Cabinet Office minister] Francis Maude said that 35 to 40 percent of the value of contracts under the program work in the civil society and no guarantees of the call tender (ITT) that the work program would be based on current levels of participation of civil society in the area of ??welfare to work then about -. 30 percent (see pages 16-17)

Half of the 155 organizations surveyed

Acevedo reported that they had references, such as the WP program was launched four months ago.
LVSC report of the charity 25 subcontractors working on two levels with prime numbers in the London area, 23 reported no reference whatsoever.