BBC Ecomonics Correspondent Ed Crooks: "American welfare reforms have been admired on this side of the Atlantic"

But the government denies that the new initiative is a step towards a US-style "workfare" scheme.

Instead ministers see the "single gateway" plan as a way of increasing opportunities to those having difficulty finding work.

A series of pilot schemes will be announced on Wednesday, under which single parents and disabled people will be offered help in finding work, although they will not be forced to take a job.

David Blunkett: Demanding 'reciprocal duty' from claimants

Claimants who are out of work because of sickness or disability will also be able to consult a personal adviser on how to overcome any barriers to jobs.

Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett said the scheme was at the heart of the government's welfare to work reforms.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's very important if people are of working age and they can work, they should do so, they should earn their own living.

Employment Secretary David Blunkett: "It's a compulsory interview and attendance scheme"

"Sometimes that will be part-time, depending on their medical and personal circumstances. Very often it will be rehabilitation and personal help and advice they need to in order to get them to back into work."

The interviews will aim to understand why a claimant cannot return to work.

But if the person was of able to working age and able to work, they would become a "jobseeker" as opposed to an income support recipient, Mr Blunkett said.

'Compulsory attendance scheme'

"This is not a compulsory work scheme, it is a compulsory interview and attendance scheme," he said.

"I think the idea that you turn up and you press a button and the state provides you with an income when you are of working age is ridiculous."

But Liberal Democrat employment spokesman Paul Keetch asked for guarantees that people will not simply be told to get a job.

"To be successful, the interview must tell people about their benefit entitlements, about childcare facilities and other relevant information."

Pilot schemes

Up to £100m will be spent on a series of pilot schemes over the next three years covering around 450,000 benefit claimants.

Four of the pilots start in Essex, Warwickshire, Clyde and East London in June.

Another eight will be launched in November before the scheme goes national next year.

Claimants who refuse interviews will then lose their benefit, although legislation will be required before the scheme goes nationwide.