This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24327470

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
George Osborne extends 'work for benefit' for jobless George Osborne extends 'work for benefit' for jobless
(35 minutes later)
The long-term unemployed will have to undertake work placements in return for their benefits, under tougher rules unveiled by Chancellor George Osborne.The long-term unemployed will have to undertake work placements in return for their benefits, under tougher rules unveiled by Chancellor George Osborne.
Welfare must be "fair for those who need it and fair for those who pay for it", he told the Tory conference.Welfare must be "fair for those who need it and fair for those who pay for it", he told the Tory conference.
Mr Osborne also announced that he hoped to freeze fuel duty until 2015 to help people with the cost of living.Mr Osborne also announced that he hoped to freeze fuel duty until 2015 to help people with the cost of living.
While the UK was on the right track, he warned people their family finances would not be "transformed overnight".While the UK was on the right track, he warned people their family finances would not be "transformed overnight".
The chancellor insisted the government's economic plan was working but was "far from complete" and turned his fire on Labour - accusing them of "declaring war on enterprise".The chancellor insisted the government's economic plan was working but was "far from complete" and turned his fire on Labour - accusing them of "declaring war on enterprise".
He described Labour's policy to freeze energy prices for 20 months as "phoney" and compared Ed Miliband's political philosophy to that of Karl Marx. In other developments at Conservative conference:
In his speech Mr Osborne described Labour's policy to freeze energy prices for 20 months as "phoney" and compared Ed Miliband's political philosophy to that of Karl Marx.
He said he was optimistic about the future, saying the "sun had started to rise above the hill" but much more needed to be done to raise living standards for this generation and the next.He said he was optimistic about the future, saying the "sun had started to rise above the hill" but much more needed to be done to raise living standards for this generation and the next.
"There is no feeling at the conference of a task completed or a victory won," he said. "The battle for turning Britain round is not even close to being over.""There is no feeling at the conference of a task completed or a victory won," he said. "The battle for turning Britain round is not even close to being over."
He said he hoped to freeze fuel duty until the end of the current Parliament if savings could be found to pay for the move. Fuel duty has not risen since January 2011.He said he hoped to freeze fuel duty until the end of the current Parliament if savings could be found to pay for the move. Fuel duty has not risen since January 2011.
The RAC welcomed the announcement but called for a more fundamental overhaul of motoring taxation.
Mr Osborne also pledged to continue to keep control of spending even after the economic recovery was secured to avoid repeating the mistakes of "deluded" predecessors who believed they had abolished boom and bust.
Cleaning up litterCleaning up litter
He also pledged to continue to keep control of spending even after the economic recovery was secured to avoid repeating the mistakes of "deluded" predecessors who believed they had abolished boom and bust.
By running a budget surplus in the good times, he would "fix the roof while the sun was shining".By running a budget surplus in the good times, he would "fix the roof while the sun was shining".
On welfare, Mr Osborne said that while the government would not "abandon" the long-term unemployed, no-one will be able to get something for nothing. On welfare, Mr Osborne said that while the government would not "abandon" the long-term unemployed, no-one would be able to get something for nothing.
Those who have been out of work for a long time will have to work hard to find a job, he said. Those who had not found work after two years on the existing Work Programme - where contractors are paid a fee to get people into a job - will face a new scheme called help-to-work.
Those who have not found work after two years on the existing work programme - where contractors are paid a fee to get people into a job - will face a new scheme called help-to-work.
To still qualify for jobseeker's allowance they will have three options - work placements, such as cleaning up litter; daily visits to a job centre; or taking part in compulsory training, for example, to improve their literacy.To still qualify for jobseeker's allowance they will have three options - work placements, such as cleaning up litter; daily visits to a job centre; or taking part in compulsory training, for example, to improve their literacy.
People would have to remain on help-to-work until they found employment - unlike the current scheme which is limited to six months.People would have to remain on help-to-work until they found employment - unlike the current scheme which is limited to six months.
Those who breach the rules will lose four weeks' worth of benefits. Anyone who breaks the rules a second time faces losing three months' worth of benefits.Those who breach the rules will lose four weeks' worth of benefits. Anyone who breaks the rules a second time faces losing three months' worth of benefits.
'Useful work''Useful work'
Mr Osborne told activists: "We are saying there is no option of doing nothing for your benefits, no something for nothing any more. Mr Osborne told the conference: "We are saying there is no option of doing nothing for your benefits, no something-for-nothing any more.
"They will do useful work to put something back into their community; making meals for the elderly, clearing up litter, working for a local charity."They will do useful work to put something back into their community; making meals for the elderly, clearing up litter, working for a local charity.
"Others will be made to attend the job centre every working day."Others will be made to attend the job centre every working day.
"And for those with underlying problems, like drug addiction and illiteracy, there will be an intensive regime of support. No-one will be ignored or left without help. But no-one will get something for nothing.""And for those with underlying problems, like drug addiction and illiteracy, there will be an intensive regime of support. No-one will be ignored or left without help. But no-one will get something for nothing."
Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, Rachel Reeves, said it had "taken three wasted years of rising long-term unemployment and a failed work programme to come up with this new scheme". Labour said it had "taken three wasted years of rising long-term unemployment and a failed work programme to come up with this new scheme" - adding that it would guarantee a paid job for every adult out of work for two years.
"But this policy is not as ambitious as Labour's compulsory jobs guarantee, which would ensure there is a paid job for every young person out of work for over 12 months and every adult unemployed for more than two years," she added.
A Department of Work and Pensions assessment of mandatory work activity - a similar compulsory work scheme introduced by ministers in 2011 - found it "had no impact on the likelihood of being employed".A Department of Work and Pensions assessment of mandatory work activity - a similar compulsory work scheme introduced by ministers in 2011 - found it "had no impact on the likelihood of being employed".
And on the work programme, DWP figures suggested one in 10 of those seen found a long-term job.And on the work programme, DWP figures suggested one in 10 of those seen found a long-term job.
'UKIP pact'
In developments at the conference on Sunday:
Meanwhile, the leader of the UK Independence Party has said it is open to local deals for its candidates to stand aside in seats with Eurosceptic MPs.
Nigel Farage ruled out a formal electoral pact but suggested there could be agreements at constituency level between UKIP and candidates from different parties.
Writing in the Times, Mr Farage said: "If either they, or others like them, even Labour MPs, with their local associations, chose to propose running on a joint ticket then I would leave the local UKIP association to have those associations."
A poll of Conservative councillors for BBC One's Sunday Politics had suggested nearly a quarter would support an electoral pact with UKIP at the next general election.
The conference continues until Wednesday when Mr Cameron will deliver his keynote speech.