One of the more amusing ironies attached to the UK's rise in unemployment is the furore that has surrounded Jobcentre Plus's inclusion of adult jobs among its vacancies.  Earlier this year the Jobcentre ran an advertisement which asked for women to perform on webcam that was pounced upon by critics; last month an advert for a female mud wrestler sparked controversy.

Such uproar is ironic because, when not censuring inappropriate vacancies, the very same voices are invariably those decrying jobseekers as a burden on the economy.  It is an illogical and outdated catch 22 that calls for those on benefits to take any work on offer, but not that which threatens to offend certain sensibilities. The situation had to be reconciled somewhere and today that decision has been made.  Adults who are willing and able to work will no longer be offered the option of employment in the sex industry by Jobcentre Plus.  Employment Minister Chris Grayling said:

It's absolutely wrong that the Government advertises jobs that could support the exploitation of people. We've taken immediate action today to stop certain adult entertainment vacancies from being advertised through Jobcentre Plus.We shouldn't put vulnerable people in an environment where they're exposed to these types of jobs and could feel under pressure to work in the sex industry.

As such, the government has banned - with immediate effect - the advertising of jobs such as lap-dancing, stripping and anything involving the "direct sexual stimulation" of others. There is no doubt that the intentions behind this decision are good ones.  At a time when money is scarce and jobs hard to come by, there is a very real chance that an individual entering the sex industry for legitimate work could find themselves following darker and more dangerous avenues in pursuit of higher earnings.

Nevertheless, the move is an exercise in "nanny state" behaviour seemingly incompatible with the ideals set out by the current goverment.  Is it not right, at a time of such high unemployment, that jobseekers should be able to choose for themselves the kind of work that is or isn't appropriate?