Jobless face losing benefits

8:48am Tuesday 2nd December 2008

The unemployed could get their benefits stopped for up to four weeks if they repeatedly refuse to co-operate with attempts to find them work.

As part of the latest drive to tackle the "hardcore" jobless, Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell is considering a swift escalation of sanctions for those who fail to turn up to meetings and interviews.

After a written warning for a first transgression, they would thereafter lose a week's jobseeker's allowance (JSA) each time they did not comply with conditions.

After a fourth offence, they would be required to undertake community service. If they refused, they would lose four weeks' JSA.

The proposals will be published by the Government in a welfare reform report commissioned by Mr Purnell in August.

While none of the plans to be set out by Professor Paul Gregg have been adopted by the Government, they are likely to indicate the direction of reform to be announced in Wednesday's Queen's Speech.

Ministers are desperate to end the "something for nothing" welfare culture.

Prof Gregg, a welfare expert, will call for virtually everybody to be expected to do something in return for benefits.

Only those with severe health conditions or disabilities will not be covered, as well as carers and lone parents with children under the age of one.

The Government wants parents of young children and people on incapacity benefits to prepare to re-enter work.