Workers in Britain will be forced to do community work to get benefits if they spend more than two years on the dole, under plans unveiled by David Cameron recently. They will face a year of compulsory work, such as park-keeping, and will have their benefits axed if
they refuse. The wide-ranging proposals for reform of the welfare state also include new US-style return-to-work programmes for all claimants out of work for more than six months to provide them with training and job-seeking advice.
The new rules will also apply to "serial claimants", people who jump on to and off benefit. The measures are part of tough new Tory plans to cut long-term unemployment, including compulsory medicals for all people claiming incapacity benefit and plans for a "three strikes and you're out" rule to strip people of benefits for three years if they refuse reasonable offers of work.
A network of back-to-work centres run by independent organisations will be established at which jobless people will spend most of the week trying to get a job. Those who do not join the scheme will lose benefits.
Those claiming benefits will also be screened by the Government for their employability. Those not recently on benefit will be given six months to find a job before being put on the scheme.
- THE INDEPENDENT
