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David Cameron: Unemployed young 'should do community work' David Cameron: Unemployed young 'should do community work'
(about 1 hour later)
Young people out of work, education or training for six months will have to do unpaid community work to get benefits if the Tories win the election.Young people out of work, education or training for six months will have to do unpaid community work to get benefits if the Tories win the election.
In a speech later, David Cameron will set out Conservative plans to shake up the welfare system for about 50,000 18-21-year-olds. David Cameron said about 50,000 18-21-year-olds would be required to do daily work experience from day one of their claim, alongside job searching.
The scheme will involve about 30 hours a week of mandatory community work, such as making meals for older people. The welfare shake up would make sure young people "don't get sucked into a life on welfare", he said in a speech.
Labour has pledged a jobs guarantee for the unemployed young. Labour has promised a jobs guarantee for the young unemployed.
This is the latest in a series of policy announcements from the Conservatives this week on the benefits system. The Conservatives are focusing on welfare reforms this week as they draw up battle lines ahead of May's general election.
The party says the "Community Work Programme" will cost about £20m to deliver, paid for by "initial savings" from the delivery of Universal Credit scheme. Their proposed Community Work Programme will cost about £20m to deliver, paid for by "initial savings" from the delivery of Universal Credit.
'Order and discipline''Order and discipline'
Those aged between 18 and 21 who have not been in employment, education or training ("Neets") for six months would no longer receive Job Seekers' Allowance (JSA). Those aged between 18 and 21 who have not been in employment, education or training, known as "Neets", for six months would no longer receive Job Seekers' Allowance (JSA).
Instead, they would be paid the Youth Allowance, paid at the same rate as JSA - £57.35 a week.Instead, they would be paid the Youth Allowance, paid at the same rate as JSA - £57.35 a week.
However, in order to receive it they would be required to carry out 30 hours a week of mandatory community work from the first day of claiming benefits.
This could involve making meals for older people or working for local charities, alongside 10 hours of job hunting.
Analysis, by Political Correspondent Ross HawkinsAnalysis, by Political Correspondent Ross Hawkins
Conservatives insist unemployed young people must work for their benefits.Conservatives insist unemployed young people must work for their benefits.
Labour has promised the same people a guaranteed job.Labour has promised the same people a guaranteed job.
The tone is very different.The tone is very different.
But refuse to work under either party - whether it's the Tories' community programme or Labour's jobs guarantee - and you will lose money.But refuse to work under either party - whether it's the Tories' community programme or Labour's jobs guarantee - and you will lose money.
Conservatives would make more cuts: lowering the benefit cap, stopping many 18-21 year olds claiming housing benefit and even considering docking money from obese or addicted claimants who refuse treatment.Conservatives would make more cuts: lowering the benefit cap, stopping many 18-21 year olds claiming housing benefit and even considering docking money from obese or addicted claimants who refuse treatment.
Labour point out their policy provides paid employment, not an obligation to community work.Labour point out their policy provides paid employment, not an obligation to community work.
But both parties would you to hear them caring deeply about the fate of young unemployed people, while making sure no one gets something for nothing.But both parties would you to hear them caring deeply about the fate of young unemployed people, while making sure no one gets something for nothing.
However, in order to receive it they would be required to carry out 30 hours a week of mandatory community work from day one of their claim. The policy, announced by Mr Cameron during a speech in Hove, east Sussex, forms part of the Conservatives' plans to eradicate long-term youth unemployment.
This could involve making meals for older people or working for local charities, alongside 10 hours of job hunting. "That well-worn path - from the school gate, down to the Job Centre, and onto a life on benefits - has got to be rubbed away," the prime minister said.
David Cameron will say: "What these young people need is work experience and the order and discipline of turning up for work each day. He added: "What these young people need is work experience and 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, as well as searching for work. "From day one - they must play their part and make an effort. That could mean making meals for older people, cleaning up litter and graffiti, or working for local charities.
"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." "Your first experience of the benefits system should be that yes, you can get help - but it isn't something for nothing, and you need to put something back into your community too."
The policy proposal is part of Conservative plans to eradicate youth unemployment.
The party have also pledged to cap benefits further - at £23,000 - to fund three million apprenticeships if they win the general election in May.The party have also pledged to cap benefits further - at £23,000 - to fund three million apprenticeships if they win the general election in May.
People who cannot work because they are obese or have alcohol or drug problems could have their sickness benefits cut if they refuse treatment, also under Tory plans.
'All stick, no carrot''All stick, no carrot'
Labour's shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves said the Conservatives had "abandoned thousands of young people".Labour's shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves said the Conservatives had "abandoned thousands of young people".
She said the party should adopt Labour's plan to guarantee young people who have been unemployed for a year a six month job, paid for by a bankers' bonus tax.She said the party should adopt Labour's plan to guarantee young people who have been unemployed for a year a six month job, paid for by a bankers' bonus tax.
Ed Miliband has also pledged that young unemployed people who refuse to take training courses to gain key skills could lose benefits under a Labour government.Ed Miliband has also pledged that young unemployed people who refuse to take training courses to gain key skills could lose benefits under a Labour government.
His party would also guarantee apprenticeships for every school leaver in England who "gets the grades" by 2020.His party would also guarantee apprenticeships for every school leaver in England who "gets the grades" by 2020.
A Liberal Democrat spokesman criticised the Conservatives proposals as "all stick, no carrot", saying they were designed to "punish" rather than to help people into work.A Liberal Democrat spokesman criticised the Conservatives proposals as "all stick, no carrot", saying they were designed to "punish" rather than to help people into work.