Tories plan to cut handouts for benefits cheats

Welfare cheats would have benefits cut for up to three years under Tory plans announced today.

They would be stripped of handouts such as job-seeker's allowance, but could still pocket housing benefit and child benefits.

Those who refuse reasonable job offers would get the same treatment, with benefits also halted for failing to attend a training programme.

Under a "three strikes" policy, first offenders would lose benefits for three months, a second fraud would halt them for six months and a third for three-years.

But vulnerable people and parents would not lose everything.