MPs on Thursday evening voted in favour of new legislation which abolishes sheltered work schemes for the disabled and introduces extra health checks for the young disabled.

The plan was supported by the D66 liberal democrats and two minor parties who negotiated changes in the legislation in return for their support in the senate.

For example, youngsters claiming Wajong disability benefit who are found to be capable of working after all will not be transferred to the welfare system as originally planned. Instead their Wajong benefits will be cut slightly to encourage them to find a job.

Some 237,000 people claim wajong benefits, meaning they were diagnosed as unfit for work before their 18th birthday.

Welfare

The legislation also includes tougher rules for people claiming welfare benefits.

Claimants will be required by law to give something back to society in return for the cash, including voluntary work such as serving coffee in a nursing home.

In addition, people who share a house will be subject to new rules based on the principle of shared expenses.

This means, for example, a mother and son on welfare benefits will no longer be entitled to two single people’s money. Instead they will get a reduced payment in line with couples.