Tories would prevent long-term jobless spending benefits on alcohol and cigarettes

The Conservatives have promised to prevent long-term jobless benefit claimants from spending their welfare payments on alcohol, cigarettes and gambling.

Under the party's proposals, claimants who have been unemployed for more than six months would see their Universal Credit cut by 30% if they have not previously paid enough into the system, despite being able to work.

This reduced rate would be paid onto a "Back to Work" card, which would not allow cash withdrawals or spending on these items.

The Tories said the proposals were designed to encourage people back into work and cut the soaring welfare bill but Labour branded the scheme "unworkable".

A Labour Party spokesperson said: "The Conservatives had 14 years to fix our welfare system but they completely failed to make meaningful reforms.

"Now they are proposing an unworkable new card scheme, which does nothing to tackle the numbers of people their system left signed off and written off."

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The Tories estimate the proposed changes would move about 350,000 claimants onto the lower rate of Universal Credit, saving around £538m a year.