,<strong>Those with a strong employment record</strong>.</p><p>

The Tories have proposed to cut benefits for people who are able to work but have failed to hold down a job, with claimants who have been unemployed for more than six months seeing their Universal Credit reduced by 30% if they haven't previously paid enough into the system.

This would be paid onto a 'Back to Work' card, which would not allow cash withdrawals or spending on alcohol, cigarettes, and gambling.

The Tories estimate that around 350,000 claimants would move onto this new 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

The proposals would also see benefits cut for people who are able to work but have failed to hold down a job. The current system is 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.\