WELFARE Minister Alison McGovern was slammed last night after saying people on benefits will not be forced to take “any job” offered to them.

Under the last Tory government, people on the dole had to look for work and take up a role if a jobcentre found them one.

But MsMcGovern hit out at the policy and suggested that under Labour those on the dole would be able to pick and choose what job they take before having their benefits taken off them.

She told The Guardian: “The Tories used to talk about ABC: ‘Any job, Better job, Career’. 

“I think that if you think about the career [first] … If we can get people into an NHS job where they’re more likely to move on and move up, then that is far better for them.”

Tory shadow welfare chief Helen Whately hit back: “The mask has slipped – and it’s the same old Labour. 

“Those who can work, should work. To do otherwise is unfair to them, unfair to the taxpayer and unfair to society which pays the spiralling cost of worklessness. 

“It’s one of the biggest problems facing the country. But with the employment minister telling people not to worry about getting a job, we know the Government hasn’t got a grip.”

Last night, the government slapped down Ms McGovern – saying there was no change in policy and that jobless Brits on benefits must take work if offered it.

A Government source said: “There’s no change in policy. The rules remain the same: jobseekers have to be actively seeking work and they have to take up reasonable job offers.

“The Tories ran down job centres and locked millions of people out of work.

“This Labour government is changing the way job centres work to help more people into secure, well-paid jobs.”