IT contractors who have been out of work for a long time need help with having their confidence restored and should not be unnecessarily penalised, it is claimed.

The Prince's Trust hopes that the new government's desire to get people back into work does not mean that new regulations are especially punitive.

There are a number of specialist providers out there who are keen to work with the government in order to help the long-term unemployed to get their confidence and motivation back, as well as raising their aspirations, according to Ginny Lunn, director of policy and innovation at the Prince's Trust.

She added: "We all want to see this growing number of long-term unemployed back to work.

"There are lots of organisations out there who know how to do this – but the government has to work with partners to make this happen."

Ms Lunn's comments echo those of the Trade Union Congress, who earlier this week expressed concern about the government's "heavy-handed" approach to getting people back into work.