THE Tories were forced into yet another spectacularly embarrassing climbdown yesterday after their latest fanfare policy became a debacle within minutes of being launched.

David Cameron, harking back to his Big Society theme, boasted of his plans to grant workers three days statutory leave per year to allow them to do voluntary work.

The Prime Minister said: “It’s good for our economy, as it will help create a better, more motivated workforce. And it’s good for our society too, as it will strengthen communities and the bonds between us.”

But the words turned to ashes in his mouth when his comments were seized upon by the TUC, which mischievously suggested it meant the head of a rabidly anti-union party effectively granting workers facility time.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Trade unions are the UK’s biggest voluntary groups. This new right will give every union member a guaranteed three days for time off to get involved with union activities.”

Though the announcement was welcomed by the unions, it played less well with big business, which showed little enthusiasm for the proposal.

Simon Walker, director general of the Institute of Directors, criticised the policy, saying it did not appear to have been thought through.

Perhaps sensing imminent disaster, the Conservatives swiftly called Tory big beast Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary, to the rescue in an attempt to mitigate the damage, but to little effect.

In a bumbling interview on Radio 4, Pickles seemed to row back from his leader’s pledge, appearing to suggest that companies would not be forced to comply with the measure.

His performance led no less an expert on toe-curling interviews than veteran Labour politician John Prescott to describe it as not so much “a car crash” as a “motorway pile-up.”

A Tory spokesman later clarified that the policy “definitely won’t include trade unions” because they are not registered charities.

Ms O’Grady said: “Confusion is growing by the minute about the Conservatives’ time-off-for-volunteering pledge.

“If the Conservatives insist people can only help registered charities, that means you couldn’t lend a hand at your local school, unless it is a private school with charitable status.”