Morning Extra - 08/01/2008

Should benefits be withheld from those who refuse a job? The Conservatives want to stop payments to anyone who refuses a reasonable offer of a job. One refused job could mean losing a month's money, and three refused offers could mean being disqualified from benefits, like job seekers allowance, for three years. Are we right to come down hard on that group of people who just sit around and take government handouts? Or is this simply a plan designed to save the government money? Have you ever been on long term benefits? Did you get support and understanding to find a job, or did you feel they were pushing you into any job they could find you just to get you off the dole? Gary Robertson takes your calls, texts and emails.