Work experience sanctions 'climbdown' - UK Politics - UK - The Independent Youngsters on the Government's work experience scheme will be able to leave after a week without facing benefit sanctions under a change announced by ministers aimed at heading off criticism of the programme. The move followed a meeting with scores of employers following protests by activists who complained that youngsters were being forced to work for nothing. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said sanctions would still apply for cases of gross misconduct, such as stealing or racist abuse, but those taking part in the scheme would be able to leave after a week without losing their benefits. He said: "Following a productive meeting with employers I am delighted that we have pledges from some of the UK's top companies to take part in the scheme. The likes of Airbus, Centre Parcs and HP Enterprise Services will join in Voluntary Work Experience helping our young unemployed people get their first vital step into employment. Despite the persistent campaign of the last two weeks we have had contact with over 200 small or medium enterprises also wanting to get involved. The work experience scheme remains and is totally voluntary. The sanction regime remains in place. Employers continue to have the protection with the use of sanctions for gross misconduct. We have used the meeting to explain how the regime applies. It has never been an issue with the programme as only 220 people have been sanctioned since it started. The Government launched a strong defence of the scheme, announcing that hundreds of new small to medium-sized firms had expressed an interest in taking part since controversy over benefit sanctions flared recently. Protest groups said they would press ahead with demonstrations against the scheme across the country on Saturday. Shadow work and pensions secretary Liam Byrne said: "The Government seem to be making this up as they go along, and frankly this country's youth unemployment emergency demands far more. Ministers appear to be lurching from one muddle to another while more and more jobs are lost and unemployment rises. Work experience is incredibly valuable but somehow this Government have botched it so badly that they have lost the good will of businesses across the country.