The long-term unemployed are to be offered free work-focussed training.

In his Pre-Budget Report, Chancellor Gordon Brown announced pilots to be set up in 2006, that would allow long-term claimants on income support, Jobseeker's Allowance and incapacity benefit the chance to take up full-time training to help get them back to work.

Claimants will have to meet conditions laid out in a "learning agreement" and will be offered an extra £10-a-week to cover the costs of learning.

The Chancellor also made a commitment to pilot skills coaches in eight Jobcentre Plus districs from April 2005. The coaches would offer one-to-one advice on skills needs and the best training to help claimants back to work.