Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

You and Yours

Magazines & Reviews

Factual: Consumer

BBC Radio 4 FM

You and Yours: Who benefits from the Work Programme?

Who benefits from the Work Programme?

29/02/2012

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, Who benefits from the Work Programme?

The Work Programme, mobile roaming, homeless choir, Patisserie Valerie, jam or spread?

With Winifred Robinson. Featuring the Welfare to Work programme, the homeless choir, mobile roaming charges, the call for local banks to share branches, and when is jam not jam?

Patisserie Valerie says it's the home of fine cakes and gateaux. Last year they increased the number of cafes across the country to 50. What's the reason for their sudden expansion and what's driving our demand for high end cakes? 

The Work Programme is the Department of Work & Pension's scheme to get the poor and long term unemployed back in to work. It offers tailored support and training through a combination of different providers who are paid by their results. But now one of the biggest providers is being investigated for fraud throwing the issue of private companies profiting from unemployment into the spotlight. 

The Campaign for Community Banking Services are calling for the Government to put pressure on the UK's big banks to share local branches as a solution. They say the closure of rural banks is ruining local economies, endangering growth and speeding the decline of market towns. 

We revisit the The Choir with No Name which is made up of homeless and vulnerable people. Now rehearsals have stepped up a gear and the soloists have been picked. 

The jewellery designer Tatty Devine, says several of its designs have been copied by high street chain Claire's Accessories. They seem to have a point - the designs are strikingly similar.

Phone Operator 3 says cuts to roaming charges don't go far enough. The biggest risk surrounds the pricing levels that will be set for consumers using data on their phones when they are on holiday or away on business.

And, the jam manufacturer in a sticky situation which could lose her thousands of pounds of new business because EU regulations prevent her from finding a legal name for her products.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

You and Yours

Who benefits from the Work Programme?

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4