Young people out of work or not in education or training for six months will need to do unpaid work to claim benefits under welfare reforms drawn up by the Conservative Party.
The reforms mean people aged between 18 and 21 will have to do 30 hours of community work each week and 10 hours of job-hunting to qualify for benefits.
The work will begin from day one of their claim. It could involve preparing meals for elderly people or working at charities.
Prime Minister David Cameron said the reforms sought to end long-term youth unemployment and help youngsters understand that "welfare is not a one-way street".
The scheme - called the Community Work Programme - extends already-announced Conservative plans to abolish Jobseeker's Allowance, replacing it with a Youth Allowance.
The Youth Allowance means those still on benefits after six months have to carry out community work or take up and apprenticeship,
Under the plans announced today, benefits claimants will be required to undertake an apprenticeship or community work from day one of signing on if they have been out of employment, education or training for six months prior to claiming benefits.
Mr Cameron announced the scheme during a speech in Hove saying young people needed the work experience to help them find jobs.
He said: "What these young people need is work experience and the order and discipline of turning up for work each day.
"So a Conservative government would require them to do daily community work from the very start of their claim, as well as searching for work."
Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 12:12 pm