Pickles: Volunteer plans 'about putting back in society'

The Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said public sector bodies and private companies with more than 250 staff will be required to allow their staff to take an additional three days paid leave to do charity work.

The plans have met some criticism over who would pay for the extra staff leave, but Mr Pickles said companies would benefit from employees volunteering.

"In any organisation you are going to want to train staff you are going to want to enhance staff and allowing staff to go out and to get this new experience is going to enhance productivity," he said.

Asked if companies would be forced into allowing employees to volunteer the minister added: "We expect a bit of give and take on this in the same way we expect people to have a bit of give and take in respect of annual leave."