Labour attacks 'gimmicky' new work scheme

The government has been accused of using "gimmicky" policies over a scheme to get families into work.

The project, revealed yesterday, will involve ministers volunteering to mentor a family in which two or three generations have not worked.

The politicans involved include Tim Loughton, the Children and Families Minister, and the Employment Minister Chris Grayling, The Sunday Times reported. The Department for Education confirmed Mr Loughton's involvement, but Mr Grayling told Sky News that his participation was "news to me".

Vernon Coaker, the Shadow home office minister, dismissed the idea as "gimmicky". He said: "It smacks of something that gets a headline, but what is going on underneath?"