An end to something-for-nothing volunteering
Ed Miliband was emphatic yesterday in wanting to end the "something-for-nothing" culture in Britain and replace it with a "something-for-something" society.
It seems Labour is planning to take this logic to its ultimate end - rewarding people for volunteering.
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Tessa Jowell has set out how this might work in her speech to conference. She wants people to contribute more to society, particularly if they use public services, for example by asking former in-patients to help people recovering at home after hospital treatment.
In return, people who help out will be incentivised. Tessa hailed a Lambeth "community dividend" scheme which gives volunteers credits for council tax, discounted council services and time in the gym - suggesting it could be rolled out across the country under Labour.
It is all part of Labour's response to the Big Society, which also came under attack from Tessa today.
Craig Woodhouse
Follow me on Twitter @craigawoodhouse
Fantastic .. At long last a progressive concept where all parties win.. The abuse of Volunteers needs to be curtailed ... Labour MUST be rewarded.. There is no such thing as FREE work... Time = Money ... Well done the Labour Party ...
Posted by: Bertram Tabbett | 09/29/2011 at 01:06 PM
Labour will lose the next election with poor old Ed as leader,
He is another Neil Kinnock;
Guaranteed to lose elections
Posted by: TommyUK69 | 09/29/2011 at 11:53 PM
What part of 'volunteer' doesn't he understand? By its very nature 'volunteerism' is about giving without thought of reward. It is a gift to others that's not subject to recompense (of any kind). The reward is in the 'doing'.
Bertram - I take it you're not much of a 'volunteer' kinda guy then....
Posted by: Rogan | 09/30/2011 at 06:56 AM
What part of 'volunteer' doesn't he understand? By its very nature 'volunteerism' is about giving without thought of reward. It is a gift to others that's not subject to recompense (of any kind). The reward is in the 'doing'.
Bertram - I take it you're not much of a 'volunteer' kinda guy then....
Posted by: Rogan | 09/30/2011 at 06:56 AM
What part of 'volunteer' doesn't he understand? By its very nature 'volunteerism' is about giving without thought of reward. It is a gift to others that's not subject to recompense (of any kind). The reward is in the 'doing'.
Bertram - I take it you're not much of a 'volunteer' kinda guy then....
Posted by: Rogan | 09/30/2011 at 06:56 AM
Rogan... Volunteering IS work and LABOUR ought to be rewarded.... not exploited ...
Posted by: Bertram Tabbett | 09/30/2011 at 03:29 PM
Rogan... Volunteering IS work and LABOUR ought to be rewarded.... not exploited ...
Posted by: Bertram Tabbett | 09/30/2011 at 03:30 PM
Yep, it's work alright. VOLUNTARY work. Look it up in a dictionary. Here, I'll help.
1. done, made, brought about, undertaken, etc., of one's own accord or by free choice: a voluntary contribution.
2. of, pertaining to, or acting in accord with the will: voluntary cooperation.
3. of, pertaining to, or depending on voluntary action: voluntary hospitals.
4. Law .
a. acting or done without compulsion or obligation.
b. done by intention, and not by accident: voluntary manslaughter.
c. made without valuable consideration: a voluntary settlement.
5. Physiology . subject to or controlled by the will.
Voluntary work is done for the good of the beneficiaries. Paid work is done for the financial reward of the worker.
If you need further explanation then you're beyond help, you're just another robot that chants by rote when someone holds up a placard.
Posted by: Rogan | 10/01/2011 at 04:27 AM
Some of even be beyond pensionable age have been offering services in say Planning Aid for residents in areas affected by crime in Southwark which in turn became victims of the inner city government 'cuts'
Posted by: Nicholas Xenakis | 10/05/2011 at 12:48 PM
Where is RedED going to find the money to pay all these "volunteers'' he is going to employ? Will his employers, the Unions, allow him to do it? More immigrant? People on the dole already being paid for doing nothing. The sickness benefit dossers? The UK cannot even pay the rent after Labour cleared out the kitty. Dream on Ed.
Posted by: albert hall | 10/05/2011 at 06:40 PM