(Coming next: all useless eaters into showers and delousing) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/3543784/Nationwide-lie-d... Nationwide lie detector tests to catch benefit cheats Benefit claimants will be subjected to lie detector tests to discover if they are cheating the system in a widespread Government crackdown. Last Updated: 10:21AM GMT 03 Dec 2008 Currently 25 local councils use voice risk analysis technology to test if a claimant is providing false information but now the scheme will be roled out nationwide. In Harrow, north-west London, where the technology was first introduced, officials estimate they have saved B#300,000 in three months by rejecting fraudulent claims. Unemployed people could also be forced to carry out "community punishments" such as litter-picking or gardening if they miss meetings designed to help them back into the workplace. And single parents and those on sickness benefits will have part of their weekly payments stopped for not keeping to a promise that they will make themselves ready for work. The tough sanctions have been put forward by a Government adviser and could be adopted by ministers as part of a new regime to end Britain's culture of benefits dependency. Currently 2.6 million people claim Incapacity Benefit, with a further 900,000 on Jobseeker's Allowance and 750,000 lone parents receiving Income Support. As The Daily Telegraph disclosed, unemployed people on JSA will be fined up to a month's benefits if they do not look for work under plans likely to be outlined in the Queen's speech on Wednesday. The Work and Pensions Secretary, James Purnell, said: "At the core of these reforms are clear obligations on what we expect in return for benefits and how we ensure the modern welfare state applies fair rules for all." The review commissioned by Mr Purnell proposes dividing those on benefits into three categories b the "work-ready", the "progression to work" and the "no conditionality". The first group are those who claim JSA and are expected to be actively seeking work. If they miss one appointment they will receive a written warning, while a second offence would lead to the docking of a week's benefits b B#60.50 for those over 25. Those who persistently fail to look for work face losing up to four weeks' worth of benefits. The second group comprises those on Incapacity Benefit and lone parents of children under seven, who are expected to return to work one day, who will receive the new Employment Support Allowance. They are expected to sign Action Plans detailing how they will improve their CVs and find out about childcare, but the new proposals suggest punishments should be introduced for those who fail to attend courses or meetings. If they miss two appointments they will lose half of their weekly Work Related Activity allowance (B#12), rising to the full B#24 for a third offence. Both groups would also face a "non-financial sanction" such as "mandatory community based work" if they are found to be "playing the system". This could mean picking litter, digging gardens or sitting in an office from nine to five looking for work. Professor Paul Gregg of Bristol University, who wrote the review, admitted the idea was to punish people by creating a "hassle" in their lives rather than just making them poorer. He said: "It is a bit like detention at school b non-monetary sanctions are getting in the way of people's lives." A third group who have severe disabilities, who are full-time carers or who have children under the age of one would not have to show they are ready to work in order to continue receive benefits. The Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Chris Grayling, said: "I have lost count of the number of documents the Government has published promising radical welfare reform in the past few years, but they never seem to get on with the job of delivering that reform." Brendan Barber, the TUC's general secretary, added: "The TUC has long supported the case for responsibilities and rights going together in our benefits system but Draconian workfare policies are not the answer." The Government will formally respond to Prof Gregg's ideas in a White Paper later this month, but the reforms were said to be the "main item" discussed at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting.