Menu
11/11/2010
Job Benefits Cuts For Rule Breakers
New welfare reform plans have been unveiled that could lead to many claimants losing benefit entitlement for up to three years.
The White Paper set out how state benefits will be replaced by a single Universal Credit.
A "three strikes rule" will also be implemented.
The plans indicate how claimants could lose their benefits if they refuse a job, fail to apply for a position when told to do so by a job seeker advisor or failing to turn up for a placement interview.
Breaking one of the rules could mean benefit being stopped for up to three months. For re-offenders the punishment is doubled to six months.
For three time offenders benefits will be cut for three years.
The move means that job seekers would be forced to join community placement programmes, running for 30 hours per week, for one month.
Work schemes would also be implemented, including collecting litter, gardening or renovating vandalised buildings.
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith outlined the reforms.
He said: "Your contract is: if you're unemployed, work with us, do what you have to do to look for work, apply for work, and take work
"If you do not, there will be a series of different sanctions that say, look, you're not helping, you are not working with us.
"The taxpayer has a right, out of fairness, that if they are spending that money they get something back.
"Something back is that you take work when work is available."
Discussing the simplification of the benefits system, he added: "We will introduce a universal credit which will make sure that work always pays.
"We will create a work programme around you and if you have been out of work for a long time we will help you with your problems to get you work ready and into work."
Despite concerns among many Liberal Democrats, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg backed the reforms.
He said: "Our reforms will effectively remove the artificial disincentives created by existing rules about the numbers of hours people have to work.
"It must always be worth working, even for a few hours a week.
"Taken together, our welfare reforms should reduce the number of workless households by 300,000 within three years of implementation."
(BMcN/KMcA)
The White Paper set out how state benefits will be replaced by a single Universal Credit.
A "three strikes rule" will also be implemented.
The plans indicate how claimants could lose their benefits if they refuse a job, fail to apply for a position when told to do so by a job seeker advisor or failing to turn up for a placement interview.
Breaking one of the rules could mean benefit being stopped for up to three months. For re-offenders the punishment is doubled to six months.
For three time offenders benefits will be cut for three years.
The move means that job seekers would be forced to join community placement programmes, running for 30 hours per week, for one month.
Work schemes would also be implemented, including collecting litter, gardening or renovating vandalised buildings.
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith outlined the reforms.
He said: "Your contract is: if you're unemployed, work with us, do what you have to do to look for work, apply for work, and take work
"If you do not, there will be a series of different sanctions that say, look, you're not helping, you are not working with us.
"The taxpayer has a right, out of fairness, that if they are spending that money they get something back.
"Something back is that you take work when work is available."
Discussing the simplification of the benefits system, he added: "We will introduce a universal credit which will make sure that work always pays.
"We will create a work programme around you and if you have been out of work for a long time we will help you with your problems to get you work ready and into work."
Despite concerns among many Liberal Democrats, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg backed the reforms.
He said: "Our reforms will effectively remove the artificial disincentives created by existing rules about the numbers of hours people have to work.
"It must always be worth working, even for a few hours a week.
"Taken together, our welfare reforms should reduce the number of workless households by 300,000 within three years of implementation."
(BMcN/KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 February 2015
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
30 September 2013
Osborne Unveils 'Help-To-Work' Scheme
Chancellor George Osborne has unveiled a plan in which the long-term unemployed will be required to work in exchange for receiving benefits. Under the plan, people out of work for more than two years will be placed on a scheme called 'help-to-work', which will give them three options in order to continue receiving benefits.
Osborne Unveils 'Help-To-Work' Scheme
Chancellor George Osborne has unveiled a plan in which the long-term unemployed will be required to work in exchange for receiving benefits. Under the plan, people out of work for more than two years will be placed on a scheme called 'help-to-work', which will give them three options in order to continue receiving benefits.
27 April 2009
Drug Treatment Scheme Now Available For Jobseekers
A drug treatment referral scheme to get drug users off benefits and back into work starts operating across England today, Employment and Welfare Reform Minister Tony McNulty has announced.
Drug Treatment Scheme Now Available For Jobseekers
A drug treatment referral scheme to get drug users off benefits and back into work starts operating across England today, Employment and Welfare Reform Minister Tony McNulty has announced.
24 September 2004
Study shows benefits of bank account benefits
Independent research published today shows that 90% of people prefer having benefits put directly into a bank account, according to a Downing Street spokesperson. The Direct Payment system is now on track to reach 85% of pensioners, mothers, carers and jobseekers by April 2005.
Study shows benefits of bank account benefits
Independent research published today shows that 90% of people prefer having benefits put directly into a bank account, according to a Downing Street spokesperson. The Direct Payment system is now on track to reach 85% of pensioners, mothers, carers and jobseekers by April 2005.
27 August 2003
Lorry cleared from West Coast rail line
An articulated lorry has been cleared from the railway tracks between Abington and Carstairs on the West Coast main line in Scotland. The line reopened within three hours when the lorry had been removed and the line inspected for damage.
Lorry cleared from West Coast rail line
An articulated lorry has been cleared from the railway tracks between Abington and Carstairs on the West Coast main line in Scotland. The line reopened within three hours when the lorry had been removed and the line inspected for damage.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A few fog patches at first, soon clearing to leave a dry day with some patchy cloud and good sunny spells. Light and variable winds. Feeling mild in sunny spells. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Dry and quite chilly overnight under prolonged clear spells and light winds. This will allow a few fog patches to develop in places. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
