ePolitix.com reports on work and pensions questions, in which the government is accused of being 'complacent' over economic problems.
The government was today accused of being "complacent" over the problems facing the economy.
Theresa May told MPs that the government's complacency in handling the economy would cost over 3 million people their jobs.
The shadow work and pensions minister referred to a report by Centre Institute of Personnel and Development where they state unemployment will rise to over 3m over the next three months.
Employment minister Tony McNulty told May that unless her party would support the government measures, then unemployment would increase.
McNulty said the Conservatives would oversee a rise in unemployment as they have not guaranteed the £5bn in funding for the 'jobs for future' programme, if they were to come into power.
Former welfare minister, Frank Field, raised concerns that newly unemployed people were often left "horrified" by the treatment they received in Jobcentre plus.
He called for a less mechanical way of interviewing people and claimed that new jobseekers were not getting "a fair share of the resources" that the work and pensions department has.
Field stated that those who were being made redundant for the first time as a result of the recession needed further support.
Work and pensions secretary, James Purnell agreed with Field that more resources were needed. He added that it had "been a significant challenge, coping with the nearly twice as many people coming through. And I think the fact that people's benefits are being paid, and we are maintaining the active labour market regime, is an achievement for Jobcentre Plus".
A Tory MP also came under fire today for supporting a Private Member's Bill that would scrap the minimum wage.
At Commons question time, Philip Davies (Con, Shipley) urged the government to make it "as easy as possible" for employers to take on new workers.
But was accused by James Purnell of seeking to abolish the national minimum wage.
Purnell urged the Conservative frontbench not to support the Employment Opportunities Bill, which will be introduced by Conservative former minister Christopher Chope (Christchurch).
Davies called for government to "make it as easy as possible and as less burdensome as possible for employers to take on new people".
He called the Equality Bill a "ridiculous, politically-correct initiative" which will discourage job creation.
Purnell told the Commons that the government would means-test everyone on incapacity benefit to make sure they are "on the right benefit."
The Employment Opportunities Bill would allow employers and employees to "freely negotiate" their own level of remuneration.
Chope's Bill will be debated on Friday May 15 if there is the available parliamentary time.
The government also came under pressure from Tory backbenchers over their help to Equitable Life victims.
Sir Patrick Cormack called on the government to increase its assistance to policyholders whilst, Ann Main (Con, St Albans) called on the government to compensate the policyholders of Equitable Life in the way intended by the Parliamentary Ombudsman.
Conservative spokesman Andrew Selous suggested the housing allowance was "failing" the people it was supposed to help.
Junior minister, Kitty Ussher informed the House that the government would consult on housing benefit, with any resulting changes in place by the summer.
Opposition spokesman Mark Harper criticised proposals that would only allow for one interview for over-50s who had been out of work.
But Purnell turned on the Conservatives for forcing people onto incapacity benefit when they were in government. He stated that people were entitled to more interviews if they requested them.
