9-5 job hunt push for unemployed
Updated on 02 December 2008
A fresh row over welfare reform blew up after a Government-commissioned report called for unemployed people to do a 9-5 day looking for work or undertake community service-style duties such as digging gardens.
Virtually everyone on benefits should be required to take steps towards finding a job and should face having their benefits stopped for up to four weeks if they repeatedly refused to co-operate with attempts to find them work, said Professor Paul Gregg.
Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell strongly welcomed the report, saying its "direction of travel" was the right way. But pressure groups, unions and Labour left-wingers attacked the report, warning it was "bullying" lone parents into work and attacking the poorest in society.
Labour MP John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) warned of a "pitched battle" at every stage of welfare reform legislation, adding: "It is a disgrace that New Labour attacks the most vulnerable in our society with such vigour and regularity."
The Gregg Review and the Government's welfare reform proposals were the main issue at the Cabinet meeting, after which Mr Purnell and Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited Work Directions, a private sector organisation in Central London providing employment support to those on incapacity benefit or income support.
Mr Brown said: "We want to get opportunities for people to get jobs. We want to give them all the personal support that is necessary.
"I think you have seen, going around this centre, that individuals are getting help tailored to their particular needs. Some want part-time work, some want full-time work, some have been out of work for a long time, some need new qualifications and some need just the confidence to get jobs.
"We want to provide a personal service to everyone. I can assure people, having been here, that there are thousands of vacancies that can be taken up. We are determined to help people."
A welfare reform bill will be included in the Queen's Speech, and the report was part of the Government's drive to get more people into work and cut down the number of claimants, including those on incapacity benefit.
Mr Purnell said: "The approach that virtually everyone should be doing something in return for benefits is the right one."
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