Kwasi Kwarteng to shrink part-time work benefits to grow labour supply

Under Kwasi Kwarteng’s plans, benefit claimants working up to 15 hours a week will have to take steps to raise their earnings or lose benefits. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Kwasi Kwarteng will tighten benefit rules for part-time workers, requiring them to work longer hours or take steps to increase their earnings.

The new rule will require benefit claimants working up to 15 hours a week to take new steps to increase their earnings or face having their benefits reduced. The current threshold is nine hours, though it was increased this summer to 12 hours, which will come into force next week.