Workfare not Fair for New Fathers

SNP QUESTION UNCOVERS THE HARSH REALITY OF WESTMINSTER SANCTIONS
The SNP has today (Sunday) condemned Westminster’s failure to offer support to new fathers after it was revealed that the legal entitlement for Paternity Leave does not extend to jobseeker's allowance claimants in mandatory work or a community placement.

A parliamentary question tabled by SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP uncovered that the legal entitlement to Paternity Leave is not available to people who are forced to work for their benefits.

SNP MSP Christian Allard – a single father - said:

“These unfair rules effectively leave new fathers who are working for their benefits without any rights to see their baby and partner whatsoever.

“Not only does the Westminster system demand people work for free but they don’t even get any time off to be with a new born child - and if they go off anyway then they will sanctioned – it is totally ridiculous.

“I understand exactly how hard it is being a lone parent and fortunately I have always had understanding and fair employers, but sadly the UK Government either don’t understand or just don’t care about this.”

Eilidh Whiteford MP added:

“The sanctioning of a new parent’s benefits who is in a workfare programme threatens to be hugely detrimental to vulnerable families and is grossly unfair. I will be pursuing the Department of Work and Pensions on this matter and will be seeking clarification of the moral and legal grounds on which it was implemented.”