Tories unveil 'three strikes' rule for benefit claimants
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.David Cameron will unveil plans tomorrow for a new "three strikes and you're out" rule to bar jobless people from claiming unemployment benefit if they turn down offers of work.
Claimants would be stripped of payments worth 59 a week for a single person if they refused "reasonable" job offers. They would be docked one month's benefits for turning down one job, three months' benefits for turning down a second offer, and up to three years' benefits for turning down a third reasonable offer.
The proposals also envisage requiring 2.6 million incapacity benefit claimants to attend medical checks, a move the Conservatives believe would immediately take 200,000 people off benefit.
Mr Cameron wrote in the News of the World yesterday: "To put it simply, we'll end the something for nothing culture."
Chris Grayling, the shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, later added: "It's time to take tough action against those who are deliberately staying at home and claiming benefits rather than going back to work."
Peter Hain, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said jobless claimants already lost benefits for six months for turning down reasonable offers of work. The existing regime already requires claimants to take up reasonable job offers or face a loss of benefit for six months. Seeking to present a 'three strikes' policy as a radical shift is dishonest," he said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments