""Something Thatcher did herself of course - I was on two YOP schemes, and they were nothing short of slave labour.""

Sorry to disappoint you, but TOPS and YOPS courses preceded Thatcher by some years.

I qualified as a Carpenter & Joiner from a TOPS course in 1978, and YOPS courses were already in operation then Thatcher became Prime Minister in the general election of 1979.

The culprit you seek is one James Callaghan, if memory serves HE was LABOUR.

And before you point out that she did not get rid of them, don't bother. I can point to numerous things that New Labour screamed about while in opposition, and didn't change when in government.

Don T.