What's The Benefit?

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0120120116Large sections of the unemployed population have been accused of feigning disability and illness, they've been labelled as greedy and lazy, preferring to live off generous state benefits rather than contribute to society. It's this 'Shameless' generation that coalition government changes to the benefits system aim to hit hard.

In a two-part documentary Tom Heap aims to get behind the tabloid headlines, meeting today's unemployed and the companies, government agencies and charities charged with getting them back to work.

Can new government initiatives push the unemployed into work? Tom Heap investigates.

Tom Heap aims to get behind the tabloid headlines on the UK's unemployed

0220120123The new benefits system aims to shame the 'Shameless' generation into work. But can it be a success at a time of rapidly rising unemployment? A battery of new eligibility rules and tests may separate the workshy from the unemployable but is there any point when there are no jobs for the willing and able?

In the second of a two-part documentary Tom Heap meets those who find it difficult to seek regular employment and hears how the new system is affecting their outlook on the world of work.

Producer: Alasdair Cross.

Can new government initiatives push the unemployed into work? Tom Heap investigates.

Tom Heap aims to get behind the tabloid headlines on the UK's unemployed