18-21-year-olds on universal credit to be pushed into construction roles, carpet fitter abused for sponsoring local football team and an electrician wins half a million quid on the lottery
Young people could lose their benefits unless they accept jobs in construction.
Pat McFadden, work and pensions secretary unveiled plans to strip 18-to-21-year-olds who’ve been on universal credit for 18 months, of their benefits unless they accept work placements.
The six-month jobs will be fully subsided by the government, pay the minimum wage and offer roles in construction, hospitality and social care, added McFadden.
The programme is to be rolled out in six areas of the UK with high youth unemployment in Spring of next year.
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A tradesman in Belfast has been targeted with abuse for sponsoring a local football team.
Carpet fitter Thomas McCormick sponsored Westland Young Men FC two years ago, after a friend asked if he could help.
But after an altercation between the under-21 teams of Westland and Kelvin Old Boys, McCormick has received threatening phone calls and been the subject of slanderous text messages and social media posts.
McCormick told his local paper that the situation was “having a real impact” on his mental health.
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An electrician in Kent has won half a million pounds on the national lottery.
The man in his 60s — who didn’t want to be named — says he will use the cash to help his family and to see more of the world.
He joked that perhaps he could “now turn left on the plane!”
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