Poundland to restart shop floor placements

Willenhall-based discount stores chain Poundland has announced it is to resume its involvement with the Government's voluntary work experience scheme.

It comes after the High Court yesterday rejected claims from unemployed graduate Cait Reilly that making her work there for free was forced labour.

Poundland, which is based off the Black Country Route and has more than 400 stores, suspended its involvement with the scheme in February.

Miss Reilly, aged 23, had alleged that taking part in the government-backed project at her local Poundland in Kings Heath, Birmingham, amounted to "slave labour".

Following yesterday's hearing, company spokeswoman Kate Downie said: "Poundland strongly believes in the importance of work experience for young people and has hired many of its colleagues permanently through that route.

"The Government's back-to-work schemes have been ruled lawful, and this means we can continue to support young people and provide them with an opportunity to pursue a career in retail on a voluntary basis."

She said Poundland re-mained committed to taking part in the voluntary work experience project, which is run through the Department of Work and Pensions and Jobcentre Plus.