Dragons' Den star Hilary Devey has signed on to host a new show about benefit claimants.
Channel 4's
Dole Office will see people live by the strict welfare rules of 1949 - when the system was just a year old - in the three-part series.
The show will "instil values of independence and responsibility, and see how the experience changes and challenges their attitudes to work, unemployment and living off the state".
Devey will run her dole office from a specially recreated 1949-style benefits office, before following claimants as they attempt to live within their new entitlement.
Julia Harrington, commissioning editor for history at Channel 4, said: "Living history formats asks the question. 'Was the past better or worse today?' In this experiment we'll be applying that question to a subject of real contemporary heat and importance: have we lost our way with the welfare state?"
Meredith Chambers, creative director at production company Twenty Twenty, added: "Along the way we'll dismantle the clichés and myths that cloud attempts to think again about the welfare state, and maybe even make some headway on new solutions.
"We're so excited that Hilary passionately wants to get to grips with one of the biggest thorns in the side of public life, in a way that brings scale and attitude."
Hilary Devey's Dole Office (working title) will air next year.
Devey quit Dragons' Den earlier this year after signing an exclusive deal with Channel 4, where she'll also host new show The Intern.
