Under-25s who refuse job or training will lose benefits

Young people will lose their benefits if they refuse a job or training place, the government announced yesterday.

As part of the 'Building Britain's Future' plan, launched by prime minister Gordon Brown, everyone under 25 unemployed for more than a year will have their benefits cut if they do not accept a job offered, work experience or a training place.

They stand to lose two weeks' benefit for rejecting a suitable job offer, four weeks' worth if they turn it down again, and 26 weeks' worth for a third rejection.

The TUC agreed that getting unemployed people back into work was a priority. However, general secretary Brendan Barber warned that the government's plans could act as "sanctions against young people".

The Times