Tories pledge daily job-centre attendance and 30% benefit cut for under-25s who refuse work

From the Newshound archive · first published 1 October 2026 · last updated 2 October 2026.

The Conservative Party wants to deny school leavers standard unemployment benefits until they complete a new "Get to Work" scheme, which would require participants to visit a job centre daily, take up work experience, or enrol in readiness courses. Those aged 18 to 24 without a continuous six-month employment record would receive a separate "Get to Work Allowance" rather than Universal Credit. Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately says the policy targets close to one million young people who are outside education, work, or training.

Under the Tory proposals, those still out of work after six months on the scheme would see their benefits reduced by 30%.

Young people with health conditions, care responsibilities or a prior six-month work record would be exempt from the tougher rules.

Anti-poverty charity Trussell warned that Universal Credit claimants already cannot afford basic essentials, which makes securing and keeping employment more difficult.