SUSSEX charities have defended their involvement in a controversial Government scheme where unemployed claimants were forced to work for free or risk losing benefits.

Charitable organisations in the county have been named as participants in the controversial Workfare programme following a legal ruling.

The Government scheme began in July 2011 but the names of more than 530 organisations who were involved have only been named now after a four-year legal battle with the Government estimated to have cost taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds.

As well as charities, scores of high-street firms including Tesco, Nando's, Boots and WHSmith and even some local councils outside of Sussex have now had their associations with the scheme unveiled.

A Court of Appeal ruling in 2013 stated that the scheme breached forced labour rules.

Among those named are Eastbourne-based Now! Charity, a volunteer-led organisation which aims to get people back into the workplace, which had 17 volunteers through the Workfare scheme for up to 13 weeks at a time.

Petrina Mayson, chief executive of the Now Charity Group since 2013, said: “We have maintained contact with many of our volunteers over the years and are delighted to report that a majority have returned to full-time employment.

“All have said that they are very grateful to the charity for its help and training at a time when they needed this support the most.”

Brighton and Hove Wood Recycling Project, founded in 1998 and recently relocated to Preston Barracks off Lewes Road, said they pulled out of the scheme after it became clear that the first two claimants sent to them did not wish to volunteer for them.

A spokeswoman for the project said they were approached by the Jobcentre in 2011 with this scheme and stipulated that anyone selected for a placement with them should really want to work with the organisation.

The spokeswoman added: “The two people sent to us who completed the scheme were treated exactly the same as our other volunteers.

“However, it was clear that despite our request to the Jobcentre they did not want to be here.

“This is entirely against our ethos, so we immediately decided not to take on anyone else.

"We strongly disagree with the Workfare scheme, it goes against everything we are working for.

“We believe that volunteers are just that, volunteers, it should never be mandatory.”

Worthing-based St Barnabas said the charity participated for a while in the scheme which was “legal and above board”.

A spokeswoman said at the outset of the scheme, nearly all national and local charities were involved especially those with retail outlets because all such groups are desperate for volunteers and other work placements.