PM Cameron wants 30 hours community service from young British dole drawers
Now here's a novel idea from British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Instead of just getting to draw unemployment benefits, if the Tory leader is re-elected, young Brits will be forced to give back some of their time back. Like 30 hours of community service (plus 10 hours of active job seeking). Some great ideas have come out of the UK. This could be another one. Imagine the potential impact on South Africa if millions of unemployed youths were given a purpose of some kind? – AH
By Benjamin Katz
(Bloomberg) – A re-elected Conservative government would require jobless young Britons to make meals for the elderly in exchange for receiving state benefits, Prime Minister David Cameron will say in a speech Tuesday.
Unemployed 18-to-21-year-olds not enrolled in education or training will have to carry out 30 hours of community service and 10 hours of job searching each week under the proposed Community Work Program, according to a statement from Cameron's office. So-called NEETs between age 18 and 21 account for 10 percent of all jobless-benefit claims, the statement said.
With the race for the May 7 general election neck-and-neck, Cameron is trying to win voters by taking a tough approach to welfare, which accounts for about 30 percent of total government spending. The opposition Labour Party announced its own proposals to boost the economy Monday with a plan to guarantee an apprenticeship for every school leaver with the necessary grades.
"We want to get rid of that well-worn path from the school gate, down to the Job Center, and onto a life on benefits," Cameron said in the statement. "From day one, they must realize that welfare is not a one-way street. Yes, we will help them, but there is no more something for nothing."
An ICM poll Monday put the Tories four points ahead Labour, though other surveys over the past week give Labour the edge. Neither is expected to win an outright parliamentary majority, raising the prospect of a coalition involving two or more parties.
Cameron said his measures are aimed at tackling long-term youth unemployment. He has already committed a Tory government to a Youth Allowance requiring unemployed young people to undertake an apprenticeship or community work after six months of receiving benefits. His latest plan would apply to those not in work or education for six months before claiming benefits, with activities including making meals for older people and working for local charities. – BLOOMBERG