Tough: David Cameron has announced that the long-term unemployed will have to join voluntary work schemes
Feckless people who fail to get a job after two years claiming out of work benefits will be forced to do voluntary work.
David Cameron announced yesterday that those on Jobseeker’s Allowance will be expected to do 30 hours a week of community work for six months.
The Prime Minister said the reforms would get people into the habit of getting up in the morning and doing a useful day’s work, rather than sitting around hoovering up state handouts.
Those who refuse to comply with the rules could see their benefits stripped away.
Mr Cameron told MPs on the Commons Liaison Committee that he wants to reform the benefits system because it encourages people to take something for nothing.
Ministers have been shocked to see research that shows some people claiming out of work benefits currently spent as little as eight minutes a week actually looking for work.
In exchange they are able to pocket £67.50 a week – or £53.40 for those aged 16 to 24.
The scheme is reminiscent of controversial 'workfare' schemes in the United States, where benefits are simply cut off altogether in some states after people have been claiming for a year or more.
The Prime Minister told MPs: ‘Today we are announcing that if you go through the Work Programme but still don’t find work, then we are actually going to be asking people to go through a community work programme where they work 30 hours a week for 26 weeks to contribute to their community.
‘That will help many people to get back in touch with the world of work, the idea of having a job, the skills that you need that will give them further help in order to get back into work.
‘Have we created a benefits system that has insufficient responsibility at its heart, I say yes we have.’
Unemployed: The Government's new Work Programme will try to get those on benefits back in to work
Mr Cameron also hopes the plans will help boost his Big Society concept, which envisages people doing more to conduct voluntary work in their local communities.
He added: ‘I think it will teach people a lesson that if you claim benefits, a benefit called Jobseeker’s Allowance but you’re not looking for work, you can’t expect to go on claiming the benefit.’
The get tough approach will be part of the Work Programme, which is being introduced by the Department of Work and Pensions.
The scheme is designed to tailor training and assistance for the jobless to each individual’s needs to help them back into the workplace.
Ministers have already revealed that those who refuse to apply for jobs, attend job interviews or take reasonable jobs they are offered will have their benefits taken away.
Sceptical: Dame Anne Begg doubts the new proposals will be effective
The punishment for a third offence could see them stripped of taxpayer-funded largesse for three years.
Under coalition plans, those who commit crimes on benefits will also be stripped of up to £25 a week to pay fines – rather than the £5 a week as at present.
Employment Minister Chris Grayling said: ‘We want a welfare state which is a ladder up which people climb not a place in which they live.
‘If people who are fit for employment, still haven’t managed to find a job after the intensive support provided by the Work Programme, we want them to do community work and get into the habit and routine of work. No one should expect to be able to sit at home doing nothing.’
During his appearance at the liaison committee, Mr Cameron clashed with Labour MP Dame Anne Begg, chair of the Commons Work and Pensions committee.
She warned the plans will do nothing to help those in areas where the economic slowdown has wiped out hopes of employment.
She said: ‘If they don’t have enough jobs for people who are looking for them it doesn’t help.’
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