UK unveils plans to get 1m off benefits

by Dave Keating | December 10, 2008 at 01:36 am

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The UK government is today unveiling sweeping and extensive changes to the welfare system, introducing new limits and crackdowns that will aim to get one million people off the system. The most dramatic change will come in the elimination of an exception for couples with children. Previously couples with young children did not have to prove that they were looking for work. Now they will have to search for work in order to continue receiving benefits.

The Government has unveiled radical plans to get one million people off benefits and into work through a "something for something" culture.

Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell said the plan was to "transform" the lives of people currently on benefits through additional help with training and childcare.

But he made it clear that a new sanctions regime would be launched to cut benefits from anyone refusing to take up training or the offer of a job.

Ministers were warned they faced growing concerns from backbench Labour MPs and pressure groups about the scale of welfare reform.

A White Paper is due to be published outlining moves to expect virtually everyone to do something in return for their benefits, ranging from updating their CV to accepting full time training or a work trial.