Almost everyone on benefits would have to prepare themselves for work or face sanctions under proposals in a report commissioned by the government.
Almost everyone on benefits would have to prepare themselves for work or face sanctions under proposals in a report commissioned by the government.
Welfare expert Professor Paul Gregg is to call for almost everyone to expect to do something in return for benefits.
Welfare expert Professor Paul Gregg is to call for almost everyone to expect to do something in return for benefits.
Only those with severe illnesses, carers and lone parents with children aged under one would not be affected.
Only those with severe illnesses, carers and lone parents with children aged under one would not be affected.
Ministers will consider stopping benefits for up to four weeks if a claimant refuses to attend interviews.
Ministers will consider stopping benefits for up to four weeks if a claimant refuses to attend interviews.
The proposals will be published on Tuesday in a welfare reform report commissioned by Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell in August.
The proposals will be published on Tuesday in a welfare reform report commissioned by Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell in August.
Scandinavian system
Scandinavian system
They have not been adopted by the government, but are likely to indicate the direction of reform to be announced in Wednesday's Queen's Speech.
They have not been adopted by the government, but are likely to indicate the direction of reform to be announced in Wednesday's Queen's Speech.
The government wants parents of young children and people on incapacity benefits to prepare to re-enter work.
The government wants parents of young children and people on incapacity benefits to prepare to re-enter work.
Officials say the report's goal is close to the Scandinavian system, where there is more universal childcare provision than in the UK, combined with bigger obligations to work.
Officials say the report's goal is close to the Scandinavian system, where there is more universal childcare provision than in the UK, combined with bigger obligations to work.
Measures could include better childcare support for parents or help for those on incapacity benefit to find a job they are capable of doing.
Measures could include better childcare support for parents or help for those on incapacity benefit to find a job they are capable of doing.
Ministers are also said to be considering a swift escalation of sanctions for those who fail to turn up to meetings and interviews.
Ministers are also said to be considering a swift escalation of sanctions for those who fail to turn up to meetings and interviews.
A first transgression would merit a written warning and the claimant would thereafter lose a week's jobseeker's allowance each time they did not comply with conditions.
A first transgression would merit a written warning and the claimant would thereafter lose a week's jobseeker's allowance each time they did not comply with conditions.
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