All 18- to 21-year-olds who fail to find employment or training for six months will be barred from claiming jobseeker’s allowance under a Tory government and will instead be forced to undertake an apprenticeship or community work.
“What these young people need is work experience, and the order and discipline of turning up for work each day,” said David Cameron.
“So a Conservative government would require them to do daily community work from the very start of their claim, as well as searching for work.
“For those 18- to 21-year-olds who have not been in employment, training or education for six months before they sign on, we are going to take intensive action.
“From day one they must realise that welfare is not a one-way street. Yes, we will help them, but there is no more something for nothing. They must give back to their community too.”
The plan is designed to ensure that the 50,000 young people “most at risk of starting a life on benefits” associate the jobseeker’s allowance with a requirement to undertake an apprenticeship or community work, and search for jobs. Thirty hours’ community work a week and 10 hours’ looking for a job will be expected from all 18- to 21-year-old claimants.
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