A CRACKDOWN on jobless people who fail to look for work – to be debated by MPs today – will fail to end the “benefit culture”.

Birkenhead MP Frank Field attacked the Welfare Reform Bill as “toothless”.

The maverick Labour MP called for the New Deal programme to be scrapped and the money spent on a “work for the dole” scheme to drive “green” projects.

Ministers have insisted the latest welfare crackdown will force the unemployed – including some single mothers – to actively look for work.

After one year, the jobless will be required to undertake unpaid community work for four weeks. After two years, they will be required to work full- time for their benefit.

It is aimed at areas such as Merseyside and North Cheshire, where there are 115,000 incapacity benefit claimants and 30,000 lone parents.

Mr Field said: “MPs might as well have today off, rather than discuss the Welfare Reform Bill.

“It promises sanctions for those who refuse to seek work – but they are toothless and will do little to end the culture of ‘the right to benefit’ among young claimants who have never worked.”