1,800 have welfare cut after failing to take job

More than 1,800 welfare claimants have had payments cut for failing to take up job or education offers from state agencies.

The figures emerge as other unemployed people face having their dole payments cut if they fail to take up local authority work, as part of a budget initiative announced last month.

It is hoped that thousands of welfare claimants who have basic construction skills or building experience but are unemployed will take up the new roles with local authorities over the coming months.