Transcript: Grayling on work experience

On the Today Programme this morning, Employment Minister Chris Grayling defended the government’s Work Experience programme in light of the recent controversies around it. Here’s a full transcript of the interview:

Evan Davis:
Well how can work experience get such a bad name? A string of high profile companies have pulled out of one government scheme providing work experience for young people. The latest, retailer Poundland, has announced it is suspending its participation in the scheme although it’s not quite clear which scheme it is, because there are several government schemes for getting people, long-term unemployed or young, into work. Let’s see if we can clarify what is going on with the Employment Minister, Chris Grayling. Good morning to you.

Chris Grayling: Hello there.

ED: Let’s just go through this. There are two schemes, there’s a work experience scheme which is kind of voluntary for young people but if they are on benefits they are often told they’ll lose their benefits if they don’t enter it, correct?

CG:
No, I mean there is a work experience scheme, it’s voluntary.