The UK government will toughen the rules around claiming welfare as it tries to encourage more people to take jobs, part of an effort to boost economic growth.

In a package of reforms due to be announced next week in Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt’s autumn statement, the government will impose stricter sanctions for people who claim benefits but don’t look for work. That will include ending benefits such as free prescriptions and legal aid and terminating welfare payments in some circumstances.