The Executive Director of CSV, the UK’s largest volunteering and training charity is to set out her concerns about new government rules forbidding benefit claimants who volunteer from claiming lunch expenses.

The rule is contained in The Department for Work and Pensions booklet called A Guide to Volunteering While on Benefits which can be read on the DWP's website

Dame Elisabeth Hoodless is to raise the issue later today (Tuesday 27th June 2006) when she meets with Parliamentary Secretary,  Ed Miliband MP, Minister for the Third Sector. She says:

“The golden rule is that volunteers should never suffer for their service. Discrimination for people on benefit is wholly unacceptable. Lunch at home always costs less than lunch bought out. Why should they be treated less well than any other volunteer?

“This policy is contrary to declared government policy and will only serve to discourage volunteer service. In the long-run, it will reduce the number of people able to return to work, based on the experience, training, encouragement and contacts they could make as a volunteer.

“The absence of any consultation with the volunteering sector is deeply regretted at a time when other parts of the Department for Work and Pensions are encouraging volunteers as a pathway to work.”

Further press information: Jason Tanner, CSV Press Office on 020 7812 0038 / 07941 433598

Notes for editors:

1) CSV (Community Service Volunteers) is the UK’s leading volunteering and training charity and creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their community through volunteering, training and community action. Each year 195,000 people give 4.9 million hours of their time as volunteers through CSV. www.csv.org.uk

2) The new rule is contained in The Department for Work and Pensions booklet called A Guide to Volunteering While on Benefits which can be read on the DWP's website: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/2006/volunteering/vg1.pdf