WIREDGOV

Some Jobseeker's Allowance claimants will have to take part in supervised jobsearch activity in a new trial to be introduced in 2014.

In return for receiving their benefit, some Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants will be required to undertake supervised jobsearch activity under a new trial to be introduced next year.

Under the trials selected jobseekers will be required to attend a local centre where they will receive expert support and supervision while they search and apply for jobs. They will be required to attend the centre for 35 hours a week for up to 6 months.

Two pilots are due to be run: one targeting the very long-term unemployed, and the other focusing on claimants who are identified as likely to benefit from this intensive regime early on in their claim.

Attendance at the centres will be mandatory and failure to participate without good reason will lead to a benefit sanction.

Pilots are expected to be running by the end of 2014, and each of the pilots is expected to have around 3,000 participants.

More details of the pilots will be announced in due course.