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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsEconomy11yrs ago

Should 18-21 year olds take on unpaid community work in order to claim benefits?

During the March 26, 2015 debate David Cameron proposed a series of welfare cuts that included preventing young people from going directly on to housing and unemployment benefit directly after school. The plan would require all 18 to 21-year-olds who claim unemployment to do 30 hours of community service per week work experience while searching for a job. Proponents argue that too many young people are receiving government benefits after school. Opponents argue that cutting benefits will punish young people who need time to look for a job right out of school.

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 154k UK voters.

73%
Yes
27%
No
54%
Yes
27%
No
8%
Yes, and every capable person claiming benefits should take on unpaid community work
7%
Yes, but lower the 30hr minimum to allow more time to look for a job
4%
Yes, but after 3 months of claiming

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 154k UK voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 154k UK voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from UK voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @BC4PK74answered…3mos3MO

No. If those who are able to work under universal credit have not been able to be employed even with universal credits assistance there is a problem with employers. Blame the system, not the individual.

 @B85TR8Qanswered…8mos8MO

Yes, 18–21 year olds should do unpaid community work, but only if they are receiving government benefits.

 @9QFHVVVanswered…2yrs2Y

Personal circumstances should be taken into account. If can't work full time then lower hours etc.

 @9PXMNJQanswered…2yrs2Y

Pay them as part of their benefits as work experience and all capable people unless exempt for child care or carers

 @B6BJ5SFanswered…11mos11MO

They should, unless they circumvent, don't allow (i.e need money to survive or pay bills), and the work should be minimal as unpaid labour is still unpaid labour

 @B5Y9XCLanswered…12mos12MO

Yes but after six months of claiming unemployment related benefits, those who require PIP should be able to claim straight away

 @B2SWKR5answered…1yr1Y

Age is irrelevant - all long-term unemployed, without good reason such as disability or having children, should be forced to either seek work or do unpaid work.

 @9TJ4FH7answered…2yrs2Y

All people not just young adults - being productive is helpful keeping people in the mindset of work and is good for self esteem

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Active 2mos ago

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...…6yrs6Y

Should critical race theory be taught in K-12 education?

No

▲  19.8k6 replies4 agree1 disagree

About This Data

Based on 154k responses to this question.

These results come from iSideWith's ongoing political issues survey. We collect over a million responses per day, filter out duplicate and multiple submissions, and break the results down by political party, ideology, age, state, and census demographics (income, race, education, household).

iSideWith is non-partisan — we don't advocate for any party, candidate, or position. We report what the public tells us.

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iSideWith. (2026). “Should 18-21 year olds take on unpaid community work in order to claim benefits?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 25, 2026, from https://uk.isidewith.com/polls/804703356

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