Dole will only be removed as last resort, says minister

Removing dole payments will be used only as a “last resort” for unemployed people who fail to engage with new services to help people get back to work.

The Government yesterday launched a Pathways to Work plan that aims to cut dole queues by interviewing unemployed people and setting them up with training, workplaces or other routes back to the workplace.

Under the plans, those who lose their jobs and sign on to the Live Register will have to also sign a pledge to attend meetings with a case worker and prove they are looking for work.