The Information Tribunal has ruled that the Department for Work and Pensions must publish the names of the businesses and charities which are involved in its unpaid work experience schemes.

It follows 15 months of legal wrangling in which the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) argued that naming the organisations involved in its unpaid work schemes, requested under the Freedom of Information Act, would make the programme unworkable.

However, last week Judge David Marks QC ruled that the DWP must publish the names. In its decision, the tribunal said it was in the public interest, adding that big commercial organisations “can be expected to have a thick skin should their names be disclosed”.

During the tribunal hearing, Clare Elliott, joint head of the Work Programme Divisions at the DWP, said that eight national charities had already withdrawn from its work schemes due to the work of campaign groups and negative press coverage. She added that one charity that had withdrawn were now suffering inadequate staffing issues and reduced revenue.

Boycott Workfare, a campaign group which has been protesting against the government’s unpaid work schemes, welcomed the news.

A DWP spokesperson said:

"Our schemes are helping people back to work but sadly some of those organisations offering jobseekers vital opportunities have been targeted by misguided campaigns.

"We believe releasing this information in this way will cause placement organisations to be unfairly targeted, harming jobseekers' prospects.

"We are therefore very disappointed with the Tribunal's decision. We are considering our options including whether to appeal."

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