1. 5 updates

Tory plans to make young benefits claimants 'give back'

Young people who are out of work, education or training for six months will have their benefits stripped unless they take on unpaid community work, under tough new plans unveiled by the Conservatives today.

Live updates

Lib Dems: Tory plans 'are all stick no carrot'

Conservative plans for young benefits claimants are "all stick and no carrot", a Liberal Democrat spokesman has said.

Speaking as David Cameron unveiled plans to have such claimants take on unpaid community work or be stripped of their benefits, the spokesman said

These placements are not designed to help someone into work, more to punish.

Young people should be given help and support into the workplace, help at job centres and the opportunity to get on in life, not just written off as feckless and lazy.

We must make sure young people leave school with the skills they need to succeed, which is why Liberal Democrats will protect education spending.

– Lib Dem spokesman

Cameron: Benefits claimants 'must make an effort'

Young people who are out of work, education or training for six months will have their benefits stripped unless they take on unpaid community work, David Cameron has announced, saying they must "make an effort".

"You should either be earning or learning," the Prime Minister told an audience in Hove.

"They need the order and discipline of turning up for work each day, so a Conservative Government would require them to do daily community work from the very start of their claim for unemployment benefit," Cameron said.

"From day one they must play their part and make an effort".

Advertisement

Back to top

Latest ITV News reports