THE NEW Tory plans to scrap unemployment benefit and income support, and bring in a *Jobseekers Allowance' are a body blow to millions of today's and tomorrow's unemployed The present 12-month entitlement to unemployment benefit is to be slashed to six months, while pressure will be stepped up to press-gang the unemployed into low-paid jobs.
The government itself predicts that as a result of the new policies 90,000 will lose all benefits and entitlements in the first year, while another 150,000 will find their benefits cut back and subject to new means-testing.
Young workers
Hardest hit will be young workers aged 18-24, who are made redundant. They will no longer be entitled to unemployment benefit, no matter how long they have been working and paying National Insurance contributions. Instead they will receive only a much lower, means-tested benefit.
Women made redundant who have working partners will lose six months of non means-tested The automatic entitlement to £28 per week unemployment benefit for adult dependents is also to be scrapped, forcing workers made redundant to submit immediately to means testing.
But benefit cuts are only a part of the brutal Tory package, which is designed to make life misery for those on the dole.
The reduced amounts paid out under the Jobseekers Allowance will be conditional on the claimant signing a 'contract' with their dole office, Which HOME NEWS tigntens even furtner tne reAssemble 1.30pm at the lobby gate quirement on them to be 'actively seeking work'.
This new policy runs alongside Employment Secretary Portillo's decision to 'crack down' on the unemployed by doubling to 135,000 the target for claimants to have their benefits stopped for allegedly not seeking work.
Dole staff will be given draconian new powers to vet the dress, appearance and behaviour of claimants.
Low pay
Social Security Secretary Peter Lilley made it quite clear that the obiective is to force more unwilling claimants into low-paid and part-time work:
"The new rules will make it crystal clear. Those who pay taxes and National Insurance should not have to subsidise people who make no attempt to get a job."
Lilley and his Thatcherite soul-mate Portillo have both identified themselves with calls for a US-style 'workfare' system in which the jobless are forced to do menial work for their benefits.
The Jobseekers Allowance "contract' could form the platform for introduction of a workdefend pensions, benefits & education Grim prospects for tomorrow's young workers as full time jobs disappear Under Portillo even Jobcentre and dole staff face the axe fare system. In the meantime Lilley is promoting the concept of a 'Back to