Section II Reading Comprehension Part A Text 1 In order to "change lives for the better"and reduce "dependency,"George Osborne,Chancellor of the Exchequer,introduced the "upfront work search" scheme.
Only if the jobless arrive at the jobcentre with a CV, register for online job search, and start looking for work will they be eligible for benefit —and then they should report weekly rather than fortnightly.
What could be more reasonable?
More apparent reasonableness followed.
There will now be a seven-day wait for the jobseeker's allowance.
"Those first few days should be spent looking for work,not looking to sign on, "he claimed.
"We're doing these things because we know they help people stay off benefits and help those on benefits get into work faster."Help?
Really?
On first hearing,this was the socially concerned chancellor, trying to change lives for the better, complete with "reforms" to an obviously indulgent system that demands too little effort from the newly unemployed to find work,and subsidises laziness.
What motivated him,we were to understand,was his zeal for "fundamental fairness"—protecting the taxpayer, controlling spending and ensuring that only the most deserving claimants eceived their benefits.