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Tories to target long term jobless

By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Jan 8, 2008, 11:39 GMT

David Cameron, leader of the British Conservative party gives a speech at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference in London, Britain 27 November 2007. EPA/ANDY RAIN

David Cameron, leader of the British Conservative party gives a speech at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference in London, Britain 27 November 2007. EPA/ANDY RAIN

(M&C) - Long-term unemployed could be stripped of their benefits if they refuse to undertake retraining schemes designed to assist them find work, Tory leader David Cameron has said.

Under the scheme the Tory opposition would end the Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for claimants who refuse three reasonable job offers.

"We have got to offer everyone an assessment and the chance of a training place but we do need to take some quite tough steps to say 'Look, if you are in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance and you don't accept a reasonable job offer, then the something-for-nothing culture has got to go'," Mr Cameron told GMTV.

"You can't just sit at home and say 'I'm not going to work'," he said.

The proposed scheme would also force long-term unemployed to join community work programmes if they wish to continue receiving benefits.

However Mr Cameron said a network of "back to work" centres would be established around the country to assist unemployed find work and help in making applications.



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