Gordon Brown used his Budget to set out new measures the Government is taking to encourage more people to come off benefit and go back to work.

Jobseeker Mandatory Activity Pilots will be introduced in 12 areas from next month. Adults who have been unemployed for six months will be required to attend a three-day work course and three additional follow-up interviews.

Brown said nearly two million Fortnightly Job Reviews (FJR) are being carried out every month, and said the FJR remains the “focal point” of the Jobseeker’s Allowance “Intervention Regime”, where Jobcentre Plus personal advisers are able to ensure that individuals are carrying out their responsibilities to look for work.

From June, the Government will introduce a “strengthened, refocused” FJR to ensure that only those can demonstrate that they have undertaken their responsibilities to look for work are allowed to continue to claim benefits.

The Chancellor said advisers “will have effective powers to sanction those who are unable to demonstrate that they have undertaken sufficient jobsearch”.

Lone parents who have claimed benefit for at least a year will be required to attend a ‘Work Focused’ interview at least every six months.

Brown also announced measures to reform the incapacity benefit system.