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UK jobless to clear litter for welfare

by Rob Peters | July 20, 2008 at 05:12 pm

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UK government officials are proposing that benefit claimants be put to work. Under the new initiative, claimants would owe four weeks community service after a year of unemployment, and would have to work full-time for the community after two years.

Some may find this move a little harsh, but I think it could be a great idea. Having a job and a daily purpose is important for self-esteem and could help build momentum toward other opportunities. Just so long as the jobs are fair and humane...

Benefit claimants could be forced to pick up litter and clean graffiti under plans to be unveiled by ministers.

The Welfare Green Paper is expected to include proposals to force those unemployed for more than two years to work full-time in the community.

Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell said the plans for England and Wales would "transform lives".

The Conservatives have said they have suggested the ideas before and will support the plans in parliament.

Reserving judgement

This shake-up will apply to all 4.5m people on out-of-work benefits, but is expected to impact most on those on Jobseekers Allowance.

Under plans laid out in the Green Paper, claimants will have to carry out four weeks' community work once they have been unemployed for more than a year.

After two years, they will be ordered to work full-time.