Conservatives pledge 'tough love' benefit rules for under-25s

The Conservatives have said they would introduce new work requirements for under-25s claiming benefits in a "tough love" approach to youth joblessness.

Under the proposals, young people who are fit to work but have not worked for six months continuously would face new rules to qualify for payments, including daily attendance at a job centre or courses.

The party says the scheme would help tackle the almost one million people aged 16 to 24 in the UK who are not in education, employment or training, known as Neets.

But anti-poverty charity Trussell warned that people on Universal Credit can already not afford basic essentials, harming their ability to find and keep work.

Under the Tory proposals, those aged 18 to 24 who apply for Universal Credit but have not previously worked for a continuous period of six months or more, for at least 16 hours per week, would instead have to take part in a "Get to Work" scheme.

Rather than Universal Credit, they would receive a "Get to Work Allowance" paid at the same rate but requiring daily attendance at a job centre, on work experience or work readiness courses.

They would be assigned a manager and have to take part in job search workshops and interview preparation sessions.

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