Kwasi Kwarteng to shrink part-time work benefits to grow labour supply
The Guardian says Kwasi Kwarteng will tighten benefit rules for part-time workers, requiring them to work longer hours or take steps to increase their earnings.
The new rule will require benefit claimants working up to 15 hours a week to take new steps to increase their earnings or face having their benefits reduced. The current threshold is nine hours, though it was increased this summer to 12 hours, which will come into force next week.
The further increase, expected to be implemented from January 2023, will affect only a small additional number of those on universal credit, about 120,000 people out of about 5.5 million claiming the benefit.
But the move is intended to signal a new offensive by the Treasury to fill job vacancies, with many industries facing chronic shortages.