Britain cracks down on neglectful parents

Britain cracks down on neglectful parents

Under a new law welfare system parents in Britain who refuse to pay child maintenance could have their passports and driving licenses confiscated without a court order.

The Welfare also seeks to nudge single parents and people with health problems into employment and to make the long-term unemployed work for their state benefits.

Work and pensions minister James Purnell said, "For those who choose not to support their own kids, we will not stand by and do nothing. If a parent refuses to pay up then we will stop them traveling abroad or even using their car."

The government has dubbed the changes the biggest shake-up of the welfare system for 60 years but it has also come under criticism for tabling the reforms at a time of soaring unemployment and slumping economic activity.