Abstract

Labour and Conservatives’ claims that welfare conditionality is ‘fair’ rely upon an
empirically unsupported assumption that almost-equal opportunities can exist alongside
starkly unequal outcomes. Fifty interviews examined in-depth a diverse sample’s values,
views about work and welfare, and labour market choices. Respondents’ views on
equality strongly influenced their views on conditionality and what they considered
acceptable labour market behaviour. ‘Alternative’ unemployed respondents, who rejected
politicians’ suggestions they ‘should work’, nevertheless favoured an equal society with
work obligations and often undertook voluntary work. The article concludes that policymakers
should be more sensitive to Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants’ diverse moralities
and motivations.