Jobseekers risk losing their benefits if they turn down certain zero-hours contracts without good reason, the government has said. Until now, people on Jobseeker’s Allowance could refuse to accept such jobs without facing penalties.
But the new universal credit system demands that people take up the casual contracts – even though they do not always guarantee work.
The government insisted such contracts offer an average 25 hours work a week. A spokesman also explained that when workers did not get the hours they needed, their universal credit payments would adjust automatically to ensure they were financially supported.
Labour said the government should focus on stopping abuse of workers through zero-hours contracts rather than on forcing claimants to accept such working arrangements. Read More.
