Tories would prevent long-term jobless spending benefits on alcohol and cigarettes

The Conservatives have promised to prevent long-term jobless benefit claimants from spending their welfare payments on alcohol, cigarettes and gambling. Under the party's proposals, claimants who have been unemployed for more than six months would see their Universal Credit cut by 30% if they have not previously paid enough into the system, despite being able to work. This reduced rate would be paid onto a "Back to Work" card, which would not allow cash withdrawals or spending on these items. The Tories said the proposals were designed to encourage people back into work and cut the soaring welfare bill but Labour branded the scheme "unworkable". A Labour Party spokesperson said: "The Conservatives had 14 years to fix our welfare system but they completely failed to make meaningful reforms. "Now they are proposing an unworkable new card scheme, which does nothing to tackle the numbers of people their system left signed off and written off." It's too easy to claim benefits in UK, Badenoch says Reform proposes £50bn welfare bill cut with changes to disability payments for millions The Tories estimate the proposed changes would move about 350,000 claimants onto the lower rate of Universal Credit, saving around £538m a year. Under the proposals, anyone fit to work would get six months on full benefits to find a job. Every two years a claimant has previously worked would buy an extra year on the full rate of Universal Credit - but those who have not contributed enough would drop to a new "Subsistence Allowance", worth 70% of the full rate. The party said this would protect "those with a strong employment record". For example, a 58-year-old who has worked since leaving school but has been made redundant would keep the full allowance up to state pension age. Claimants who are sick, disabled or already in work would also be exempt, with only those judged capable of work affected. The Tories said loading the "Subsistence Allowance" onto a pre-paid card, with restrictions on what the money can be spent on, would ensure taxpayers' money supports claimants with essentials like food. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the current system "where someone who can work chooses not to, and earns more benefits than someone in a job" was "unfair". "The best welfare is a well-paid job. The Conservatives have already pledged to scrap Personal Independence Payment, the main disability benefit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, for "low-level" mental health conditions to help cut the welfare bill.