Prime Minister Gordon Brown has delivered a stark message to long-term unemployed young people: accept an offer of work or lose your benefits.
Government plans for public services unveiled last week re-stated the pledge to guarantee a job, course or training placement to all 18- to 24-year-olds who have been unemployed for more than a year.
Around £1bn is being made available to ensure there are enough suitable courses and jobs to meet this pledge.
But those that turn down an offer risk losing two weeks' benefit. Four weeks' benefit is then cut for a second refusal and a third refusal carries the risk of a 26-week cut in benefits.
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