Young people who refuse job offers will have benefits axed

Good idea or not thought out?

Young people who refuse to take a job, work experience or training place are to lose their benefits under plans announced by Gordon Brown today.

Those who refuse a suitable job offer could lose two weeks benefit, four weeks if they turn a job down a second time and 26 weeks for a third failure.

Now, I have to say that in theory, I like this idea and always said that if I was in power this would be the first thing I would do. However, it raises a few points for me.

1. What is suitable, and will employers be happy with youth just taking a job so they do not lose their benefit? Couldn’t that employee then just do something to get the sack?

2. Does this only apply to under 25’s and if so, why?

3. What if these youths have babies, are carers etc.? (I am sure this is laid out somewhere, I just cannot find it).

There is no doubt that it is a good thing; young males, particularly between 18 and 23 are at risk of offending, drug use etc., if not in full time employment. However we must balance this with being sure that employees have a youth-friendly policy.

I just think it needs to be handled very carefully, so as to not demonise young people and make employees feel lumbered with them. If you are reading Gordon, call me, we need to talk!

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