Compulsory community work placements are under consideration for those who have been unemployed for more than two years to get them used to the routine of work. Those people who have been intensively supported through the Work Programme have have not found sustainable employment may be required to do community work or risk losing their benefit entitlement.
This will be piloted in four key areas ahead of the roll-out of the scheme nationwide in 2013.
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.’
The message is clear that if jobseekers refuse to engage and comply with the system then they may no longer be entitled to financial support from the State.
For more information please visit http://www.localgov.co.uk/index.cfm?method=news.detail&id=104013
