Strip absent fathers of benefits, says think-tank

The influential centre-right Policy Exchange think-tank has called for a job placement programme, similar to the controversial scheme that last month sparked accusations that young people were being forced into “slave labour”, to be created for welfare claimants who do not live with their children.

Under its plans published yesterday, “feckless” parents would be fast-tracked on to the compulsory scheme and forced to stick with it until the end or lose state payments.

After a wave of protests last month, Ministers announced youngsters would no longer be sanctioned for quitting placements.

The think-tank believes a mandatory programme would make it more likely claimants would leave benefits and take paid work. Its report, Father Figures, shows that absent fathers on benefits contribute £5 a week in child benefit payments, regardless how many children they have with different mothers.

The study estimates there are as many as 65,800 men who have been out of work for six months or longer and claims the Child Support Agency focuses on collecting payments from working parents.

Report author Peter Saunders said: “Most fathers want to do all they can to help and support their children, even when they find themselves unemployed. But a minority persistently evade their responsibilities.”