‘Unemployed people in Bradford must hunt for jobs from “nine to five” or be stripped of benefits, under a controversial new crackdown.
The city, which has more than 14,500 people claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance, has been picked for the first trial of a Government scheme to target benefit claimants who “lack motivation” to find work.
From next month, they will be required to visit a Jobcentre every morning to sign an attendance register, then spend the whole day working on job applications.
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Ministers say the jobseekers will be given intensive help with important skills such as compiling CVs, writing covering letters, timekeeping and interview techniques.
But the policy also carries a big stick – a threat to remove benefits from claimants who fail to hunt for jobs for 35 hours each week, for three months.
A first breach of the rules will trigger a loss of four weeks’ benefit and the second will mean forfeiting three months’ money.
The Jobcentre Plus offices in Bradford, Keighley, Shipley and Leeds are among 64 across the country that will carry out the trial’
Read More: Government warns city’s unemployed: ‘Look for work from 9 to 5 or face losing benefits’
