Poundland: We are suspending workfare participation

Jim McCarthy, chief executive officer of Poundland, comments on his firm's decision to withdraw from the government's workfare scheme:

"We have today suspended the workfare scheme in Poundland but continue with volunteer work experience for young people who wish to work in retail.

"Voluntary workers receive training and very often join us or other retailers within a short space of time.

"Our store opening programme creates around 2,000 new jobs each year and typically 40 per cent of those will be between 16 and 24 years of age."