Britain Ponders US-Style Community Work Programs
BRITAIN'S Welfare Secretary says people claiming unemployment
benefits may be forced to clear graffiti or remove litter to earn
their checks.
James Purnell said last month he hopes to model his reforms on US
programs that force claimants to carry out work for their benefits.
Those unemployed for more than a year would be ordered to carry
out four weeks of community work under the planned new laws. People
still jobless after two years would be made to work full-time on
community projects.
Purnell says drug addicts will have their checks stopped unless
they sign up to treatment sessions.
Britons currently have to prove they have tried to find a job to
collect welfare payments.
Around 4.5 million people in Britain claim benefits for
joblessness or incapacity to work through ill health. |
