PEOPLE are being rewarded for being lazy and have no incentive to work, according to a Huddersfield restaurant owner.

Vicki Ridgway, proprietor of the Keys Restaurant at Huddersfield Parish Church, Byram Street, has hit out at a benefit system which “rewards people for staying at home”.

Her comments come after an unsuccessful six-week search to find a replacement kitchen porter.

The final straw came yesterday when an 18-year-old youth turned up for the job and walked off after just one hour after announcing: “It is too hard work, I can’t do it.”

The young man was the latest in a series of prospective employees at the 100-cover restaurant who have failed to measure up.

The problems for the restaurant echo those faced by Huddersfield textile boss Gordon Hawley.

He revealed in the Examiner yesterday how he had been unable to find apprentices to enter the industry as trainee pattern weavers.

When the previous kitchen porter left in February, the Keys advertised the vacancy with the Jobcentre. They were inundated with phone calls and had to withdraw the advert after the first 50 calls.

They then chose six applicants for interviews. Four of them failed to turn up, even though the appointments had only been made that morning.

Vicki, who has worked ever since leaving Colne Valley High School, said: “It is outrageous. People are being rewarded in this country for failing.

“They are failing to do something with themselves – either in education or work – and they end up in the benefit cycle.

“This takes away any ambition or pride they might have had. They can live a reasonable life on benefits and it is too comfortable. Also, the stigma of being out of work has gone.”