By requiring people to work without pay, the government's workfare schemes are pushing more and more people into poverty and unemployment, says Ekklesia associate Symon Hill. Christian organisations need to campaign against workfare, not participate in it, he argues.

Several Christian charities are facing protests for participating in "workfare" schemes under which unemployed people must work for free or lose their benefits.

The government’s controversial 'workfare' programme - by which unemployed people are required to work for their benefits – is to face a legal challenge this week.