I AM glad to see the Tories have come up with a solution to the long-term unemployed.

In Germany those who don't work are made to sweep streets and clear away the snow from footpaths. If they don't turn up they don't get paid.

It works in America and Australia, so why not have it over here?

By 2001, Wisconsin's welfare rolls had fallen by an extraordinary 82 per cent. Across the US similar approaches reduced the number of claimants from 14 million to less than five million.

Some 68,000 Britons have claimed Jobseekers Allowance for more than two years - and 16,000 have been on the dole for five years or more.

Mr Cameron deserves great credit for tackling head-on an issue that Labour has ducked for too long.

Colin Henson, Ullswater, Woodthorpe, York.