ADVANTAGES Applicants who “go offshore” face losing their shares in a radical change, Jeremy Hunt has warned.
The chancellor promises that able-bodied Britons who refuse to take the job will be hit with financial sanctions such as – refusing to let the taxpayer be defrauded.
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Jeremy Hunt launched a crackdown on benefit claimants who “opted to coast”Credit: PA
Mr Hunt insists there must be fairness for hardworking taxpayers and anyone who avoids employment must face consequences.
The tough new plan comes ahead of next Wednesday’s Autumn Statement as part of a big return to work with a record 2.6 million people on long-term sick leave.
Mr Hunt said: “We are serious about growing our economy and that means we have to tackle the increase in people not looking for work – especially as we know there are so many who want them and with almost a million vacancies in the market there are opportunities.
“These changes mean there is help and support for everyone – but for those who refuse, there are consequences. Anyone who chooses to rely on the hard work of taxpayers will lose their benefits.”
At worst, offenders will lose part of their benefits due to sanctions.
The new rules are being drawn up as part of the Autumn Statement with free prescriptions and legal aid being scrapped as part of a crackdown if you fail to turn up for work meetings or interviews.
Digital technology will be used to track applicants’ attendance at job fairs and interviews as part of the enhanced regime.
The chancellor said the changes were the biggest series of welfare reforms since the introduction of universal credit in 2012.
The reforms also mean that no claimant should be out of work for 18 months on full benefits if they have not taken all reasonable steps to meet Jobcentre requirements.
Speaking to The Sun, the chancellor said the changes meant a new “social contract” between jobseekers and those out of work.
He said the system needed to be “rebalanced” in favor of taxpayers who fund the benefits while asking for something in return.
The changes, which will come into effect next year, are part of an overall £2.5bn plan aimed at helping more than a million people find and stay in work.
This includes helping people with long-term health conditions who can work from home. Figures show that 20 percent of people who are chronically ill or disabled want to work.
Social Care Secretary Mel Stride said: “Work is good. It pays the bills, improves health and grows the economy – so we’re all better off.
“And it also means we can support those who can’t work, as any compassionate society should.
“Sun readers understand this and know that honesty should be at the heart of our welfare system.
“It’s my job to make sure we never lose sight of that. And that’s why we have to make some changes.
“Because too many people don’t keep their side of the bargain.
“Over 130,000 sanctions were issued in the last quarter – the majority for people who skipped job center appointments or interviews without good reason.
He added: “It’s just not on and we’re not going to stand for it.
“So, when we have helped people to get a job through the intensive support of employment centers, we expect them to take up work or other intensive activities to get a job.
“And we’ll track attendance at job fairs and interviews, and close benefits claims after six months when someone isn’t playing their job.
“We are committed to supporting everyone who needs our social welfare safety net.
“We are also focused on helping those who can do it to improve their lives – you will hear more about this in the Autumn Statement.
“But we will not abdicate our responsibility to taxpayers to ensure that genuine fairness is at the heart of the welfare system.”
‘JOB IS GOOD’
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride says:
The work is good. It pays the bills, improves health and grows the economy – so we’re all better off.
And it also means that we can support those who cannot work, as any compassionate society should.
Sun readers understand this and know that fairness should be at the heart of our welfare system.
It’s my job to make sure we never lose sight of that. And that’s why we have to make some changes.
Because too many people fail to keep their side of the bargain.
Over 130,000 sanctions were handed down in the last quarter – most for people who skipped job center appointments or interviews without good reason.
It’s just not included and we won’t stand for it.
So, when we have helped people get a job through the intensive support of the employment center, we will expect them to take up work or other intensive activities in order to get a job.
We will also track attendance at job fairs and interviews and close benefits claims after six months when someone is not playing their job.
We are committed to supporting everyone who needs our social welfare safety net. We are also focused on helping those who can do it to improve their lives – you will hear more about this in the Autumn Statement.
But we will not abdicate our responsibility to taxpayers to ensure that genuine fairness is at the heart of the welfare system.
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