Large numbers of long-term unemployed will be forced to work or lose their benefits under sweeping changes to the welfare system outlined in a green paper published yesterday by James Purnell, work and pensions secretary.

Some 2.6m people claiming incapacity benefit at present would be expected - in all but the worst cases - to make themselves available for some kind of work, while those on the dole for more than two years could "be forced to take part in full- time activity such as community work," said Mr Purnell