Ministers are considering plans to force long-term unemployed people to work for benefits, according to a draft of proposals to be published on Monday.
A "work for dole" scheme would require people to do "full time activities" to benefit themselves and their community.
The leaked document says everyone other than severely disabled people, carers and parents of young children should be expected to look and train for work.
The Tories say many of the ideas were put forward by them six months ago. The government is due to unveil its Welfare Green Paper for England and Wales on Monday - but a draft copy leaked on Friday suggests it will contain US-style "work for dole" programmes and a reassessment of all existing incapacity benefit claimants.
BBC NEWS | Politics | 'Work for dole' proposals leaked
Definitely a step in the right direction.