DWP crackdown to see some LOSE benefits if they don't find work

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Jeremy Hunt confirmed controversial plans to shake up the welfare system in his autumn statement. The chancellor said claimants who fail to find a job could have their benefits cut completely, while people on long-term sick leave would be asked to find remote working jobs.

Mr Hunt said his plans form part of "the biggest set of welfare reforms in a decade". Addressing MPs in the House of Commons this afternoon, Mr Hunt said it was “wrong economically and wrong morally” that every year more than 100,000 people were signed onto benefits with no requirement to look for work because of sickness or disability.

He said £1.3 billion would be invested over the next five years to help nearly 700,000 people with health conditions find jobs. READ MORE: 10 key announcements from Jeremy Hunt's autumn statement including major tax cuts Read our recap of today's Autumn Statement here. The chancellor said the government will "reform the fit note process so that treatment rather than time off work becomes the default".

He also said the work capability assessment would be changed to reflect the switch to wider home working opportunities following the pandemic.