The governments trying to encourge people to go to work
|
The government is working on plans to make poor people ‘better off’ as it tries to ensure that those in work are paid more than the unemployed
The plans are part of, work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith’s aim to cut unemployed households by about 300,000.
Currently the government believe that there are 5m people, of working age, who are claiming out-of-work benefits. They believe that this high figure shows that the current system is not working.
The changes will include a ‘universal credit’ sanction for those who are turning down jobs and also a cap on benefits paid to single families.
Mr Smith said, ‘A life on benefits will no longer be an option for somebody. Right now there are huge numbers of people sitting on benefits, sometimes in rented accommodation that people who work could never dream of affording.’
The new plans have already been criticised by some who believe that young people are being betrayed at a time of record youth unemployment.
David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said, ‘The proposal is unfair, unjust and will heap further misery onto households already under huge financial pressure. People should be encouraged into work, but threatening the roof over the head of those who are unemployed isn’t the right way to go about it.’
By Lauren King
| 
Win a limited edition bike worth £399.99!
Win tickets to see Jessie J at Sandown Park Racecourse!