Young people told to take work or lose benefits
30 June 2009
Youth's could lose benefits
Unemployed young people who repeatedly turn down offers of work or training face losing up to six months benefit.
In March’s Budget announcement, the government guaranteed a job, work experience or training place to all 18- to 24-year-olds who have been unemployed for more than a year, a move which will take effect next January.
The guarantee of a job or training place for young people is being backed by £1bn to increase the number of available jobs and training places.
However, the prime minister has also announced that from next spring this pledge will carry an obligation on young people to accept a place or face cuts in their benefit.
Those who turn down a suitable offer once could face losing two weeks benefit, four weeks benefit for a second refusal and 26 weeks for a third refusal.