A CONTROVERSIAL course run in North Ayrshire which ‘fines’ people searching for work has been suspended pending investigation. 

The STRIVE Programme came under fire after it was revealed that those on the course could be fined up to £7.50 for tutting, swearing or not wearing their name badges.

And they were warned they could face benefit sanctions if they did not comply with the strict rules.

The claim was initially denied by both North Ayrshire Council and the Lennox Partnership, who deliver the course at the Ayrshire Community Trust in Ardrossan. 

But a story by our sister paper the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald led to protests outside the council HQ and Job Centres.
And last week, the council agreed to suspend referrals to the course, which had been branded “Victorian”.

Colin Turbett, RISE Candidate West Scotland, said: “RISE supporters including members of the local SSP Branch, protested outside Saltcoats and Irvine Job Centres, as well as NAC’s Cunninghame House. 

“This was in support of the right of the jobless of the area to be treated with respect and dignity, and not like children in a Victorian workhouse. 

“We are pleased that the council seem to have changed their opinion about courses like Strive.”

The scheme is described as one which will help people who are trying to find work or get back into work and the fine system is supposed to mirror the way in which behaviour in the workplace should be.

But a spokesperson for the Scottish Unemployed Workers’ Network said: “We hope that this scheme is not only being suspended in Ardrossan, but stopped completely here and the other places where it is being used.”

Michael Cormack of Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty said: “This programme is treating unemployed people with a total lack of respect, and the only just response is for people to take direct action to shut it down.”

The council confirmed that they were launching an investigation into the STRIVE Programme and had suspended recruitment to the course. That came a week after the Department of Work and Pensions stopped referrals to STRIVE to look into the fines system. 

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We are currently in discussion with the Lennox Partnership to address the concern raised about the Strive Programme.

“Meanwhile, we are suspending recruitment to the programme to give us the necessary time to consider the evidence and different views on this element. We will also look to discuss the matter further with the Department for Work and Pensions.

“As a council we are working tirelessly to boost the local economy and we use a wide variety of programmes designed to support local people and prepare them for the jobs market.

“Over the last four years, the Strive Programme has been a successful part of this process - for participants and businesses alike.

“Most significantly, nine out of every 10 people taking part in our recent programmes have gone on to find work.”