A charity that cares for the terminally ill has vowed to end its use of people on Workfare after a protest outside one of its shops.

Protesters carrying banners and placards descended on the North London Hospice shop in Topsfield Parade, Crouch End, where they handed out leaflets against the use of Workfare.

The scheme forces people who are out of work to take on unpaid work placements or face losing the assistance provided to them by the state.

Haringey Solidarity Group organised the protest, as it feels that the hospice taking part in the scheme is unethical.

Demonstrator Abigail Williams, 27, of Napier Road, Tottenham, said: “We think this is basically like slave labour. If people refuse to take part in the scheme they can be sanctioned and lose their benefits, which has resulted in people dying.

“It’s completely and absolutely wrong that the hospice takes part in the scheme, they do great work and they’re a really good charity but what they’re doing exploiting the unemployed is just completely unacceptable.

“We want to send them a really clear message to pull out of the WorkFair scheme and will carry on shutting them down until they do.”

The North London Hospice has been caring for people with life-limiting illnesses in Haringey, Enfield and Barnet at its hospices in Winchmore Hill and Finchley since 1984.

It has a total of 18 shops across the three boroughs, which help to raise funds for the care they provide.

Chief executive of The North London Hospice Pam McClinton said: “It is our firm intention that North London Hospice shops, like many other aspects of the hospice’s activities, are supported by those who give freely of their time and expertise.

“As we have already communicated many times to the Haringey Solidarity Group, we are committed to this and have been taking action to replace our workfare volunteers with volunteers from the community; it will take time to do this.

“Our shop volunteers are essential in helping us fund the care and support we offer our terminally ill patients, their families and carers.”