Employers are reluctant to take on young people unless they have had some work experience. Currently, gaining work experience beyond two weeks can result in loss of benefit. Under the new scheme there will be no loss of benefit for the first eight weeks.

Read more on NEW SCHEME TACKLES YOUNG PEOPLE’S LACK OF EXPERIENCE…

Newcomers to incapacity benefit face a long journey back to work. The Pathways to Work initiative is aimed at improving job opportunities for people on incapacity benefits. But the process is long and protracted and figures from the DWP show that only 14 percent actually find work within one year.

Read more on A LONG JOURNEY TO WORK FOR INCAPACITY BENEFIT RECIPIENTS…