‘ We’ll make jobless young work for dole’
TENS of thousands of jobless youngsters will be forced to carry out community work or get no benefits if the Tories win the next election, David Cameron will announce today.
In a new push to control the welfare system, the Prime Minister will unveil a new regime for “Neets” – young people not in education, employment or training – who attempt to claim hand- outs.
Anyone aged 18 to 21 who has been “Neet” for six months or more who applies for benefits will have to carry out community projects from the first day of a claim.
They will be expected to put in 30 hours a week in an attempt to instil the “discipline” required to hold down a job.
The tough new rules are designed to ensure young people cannot opt straight into a life of idleness once they are old enough to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Rewards
Mr Cameron will say: “From day one they must realise that welfare is not a one- way street.”
The new Tory crackdown will apply to youngsters who have left school or college but not found a job.
As no one under 18 can currently claim Jobseeker’s Allowance, many simply live at home with their parents paying their bills. Ministers are concerned that too many go straight on to the allowance once they reach their 18th birthday.
As a result, many have little or no experience of work and can end up living on hand- outs for life.
Others will not be able to do nothing for months on end in the hope of later moving on to Jobseeker’s Allowance without working. In his speech, Mr Cameron will say: “Our welfare reforms are a key part of our long- term economic plan.
“They are not just about saving money, they are about changing lives and making this a country that rewards work.”
The pledge comes as Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls was accused of having a “complete lack of understanding” of business in a row over cash- in- hand payments.
He suggested that people should collect receipts from tradesmen as a way to ensure no tax is avoided.
But Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said it was “absurd” and showed Labour did not know how businesses worked.
Even Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna admitted he does not keep a receipt for “every single thing I get people to do”. And a poll by Usurv showed that 72 per cent of people do not ask for a receipt for small cash- in- hand jobs.