GOVERNMENT plans to overhaul cash support for the jobless, designed to
encourage them to actively look for work, came under fierce fire from
senior Tories in the Commons last night.
Former Minister Alan Howarth (Stratford-on-Avon) said during second
reading debate on the Jobseekers' Bill that it would widen inequality
and deepen poverty.
He warned the Government of the danger of sliding to a landslide
election defeat on the scale of the 1945 Conservative debacle.
Sir Ralph Howell (Norfolk North -- Con.) said there was ''something
awful'' about insisting people should go on writing application letters
when there was no work available.
The Bill brings in a Jobseeker's Allowance to replace unemployment
benefit and income support for those out of work.
It will also cut entitlement to non-means tested benefit from one year
to six months.
Employent Secretary Michael Portillo, during the debate, insisted
jobless people wanting to work had nothing to fear.
However, Mr Howarth protested: ''This Bill widens inequality and
deepens impoverishment.''
Shadow Employment Secretary Harriet Harman warned: ''This Bill will
not help reduce unemployment. It will not put people back to work. What
it will do is make those who are out of work, and even those in work,
feel more insecure and more fearful.''
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