: The government is to spend more than £100m on a dozen pilot projects that are likely to require almost all benefit claimants to take part in a "work-focused" interview.
The first four pilot schemes, due to run up to 2002, are set to start in June with a further eight coming on stream in November.
The scale of the investment demonstrates the determination of employment and social security ministers to make the culture of the benefits system more work-focused.
Ministers are finalising details of the legislation, which will set up a "single gateway" to the benefit system. It will be included in the social security bill.
Once the pilot projects have bedded down, all claimants - not just new claimants as previously announced - are likely to be required to have work-focused interviews.
Exemptions will be tightly drawn. The terminally ill will be excluded, but many other claimants, including the recently bereaved, will have interviews postponed rather than be exempted.
Ministers are also seeking ways to ensure that individuals - including lone parents and the disabled - will be legally required not just to turn up for the interview but actively to participate.
The "single gateway" aims to provide a "one-stop shop" for claimants, providing them with a single adviser to help with local authority and government benefits, currently scattered around three or more offices. Advisers will assess any barriers to work and provide advice on training and education.
Until legislation is in place, the pilots will operate on a voluntary basis. Copyright Financial Times Limited 1999. All Rights Reserved.
: The government is to spend more than £100m on a dozen pilot projects that are likely to require almost all benefit claimants to take part in a "work-focused" interview. The first four pilot schemes, due to run up to 2002, are set to start in June with a further eight coming on stream in November. The scale of the investment demonstrates the determination of employment and social security ministers to make the culture of the benefits system more work-focused. Ministers are finalising details of the legislation, which will set up a "single gateway" to the benefit system. It will be included in the social security bill. Once the pilot projects have bedded down, all claimants - not just new claimants as previously announced - are likely to be required to have work-focused interviews. Exemptions will be tightly drawn. The terminally ill will be excluded, but many other claimants, including the recently bereaved, will have interviews postponed rather than be exempted. Ministers are also seeking ways to ensure that individuals - including lone parents and the disabled - will be legally required not just to turn up for the interview but actively to participate. The "single gateway" aims to provide a "one-stop shop" for claimants, providing them with a single adviser to help with local authority and government benefits, currently scattered around three or more offices. Advisers will assess any barriers to work and provide advice on training and education. Until legislation is in place, the pilots will operate on a voluntary basis. Copyright Financial Times Limited 1999. All Rights Reserved.
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