A better way of helping the unemployed get back into work is to allow them to do (relevant) training courses.
A friend of mine has been laid off quite recently. He has been unemployed for about 6 months and tbh I dont see him getting a job in the near future, despite trying. He asked if he could go on a college course to better his chances of finding work as he has no proper qualifications or anything(wanted to do bricklaying/plumbing/a decent trade). He was told if he did, his money would be stopped as being on the course would mean he couldn't look for work enough. Yet working 30 hours a week for free...is fine?
He kept pushing for this course mind. And they have now sent him on one of those useless CV courses instead. That helps noone and just wastes time :S
In short, a 20 hour a week college course would mean he wasnt entitled to JSA as he couldn't look for work, despite it bettering his job prospects. But a 30 hour a week CV building course (when it takes about an hour to do a CV) is fine. And apparently fulltime workfare or this new idea would be fine too.
Something massively wrong with that IMO.
And honestly, I wouldnt bother with the long term unemployed who dont want to work. Why stress about them when there are millions of unemployed who DO want to work? I know its wrong to think like that, but we will never have 100% employment, or even close.