George Osborne: Unemployed 'need tough love'

The government is planning to impose new conditions on benefits for the long-term unemployed.

The plans are due to be outlined by Chancellor George Osborne at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester on Monday.

It affect claimants who have been through the government's Work Programme but are still without a job.

Mr Osborne said the scheme will stop people "getting their benefits for nothing".

Speaking to the Today programme's Sarah Montague, Mr Osborne explained that sanctions were important and it could not be acceptable for people to "refuse all help".

"People understand there needs to be a bit of tough love and that's what this programme delivers," he said.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday 30 September 2013.