|
London: Britain's Welfare Secretary says people claiming unemployment benefits may be forced to clear graffiti or remove litter to earn their cheques.
James Purnell said on Monday he hopes to model his reforms on US programmes that force claimants to carry out work for their benefits.
Those unemployed for more than a year would be ordered to carry out four weeks of community work under the planned new laws. People still jobless after two years would be made to work full-time on community projects.
Purnell says drug addicts will have their cheques stopped unless they sign up to treatment sessions.
Britons currently have to prove they have tried to find a job to collect welfare payments.
Around 4.5 million people in Britain claim benefits for joblessness or incapacity to work through ill health.
|
