The British government is set to impose stricter requirements on unemployment benefits. Unemployed individuals who have not found a job after one and a half years will be obligated to participate in mandatory employment, announced the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt on Wednesday.
“After the pandemic, we still have over 7 million adults, excluding students, who are not working, while a million job vacancies remain unfilled,” stated Hunt during his annual autumn address in the British Parliament.
If job seekers fail to secure employment after eighteen months, the government will require them to engage in “mandatory employment.” Those who refuse to comply with this requirement for six months will lose their benefits.
Additionally, Hunt is increasing both benefits and pensions. Benefits will see a 6.7 percent increase, matching the September inflation rate.
