Disabled people must work from home to do “their duty” or face losing benefits, a minister has said.

Speaking to Sky News, Laura Trott, chief secretary to the Treasury, said: “Of course there should be support for people to help them into work but ultimately there is a duty on citizens if they are able to go out to work they should. Those who can work and contribute should contribute.”

The plan will apparently be revealed as part of tomorrow’s autumn statement.

Speaking to Times Radio, so it’s unlikely many people heard her, the minister defended the government’s imminent plans, claiming they weren’t about “forcing people out”.

Trott continued: “It’s saying we’re going to put the right mechanisms around you to help you with that. But ultimately, you have to engage with that, and that is an obligation on you as a citizen to do this. And if you don’t do this, we will look at sanctions.”

Charities have criticised the plans. Sarah White, disability charity Sense’s head of policy, said: “Everyone should be able to work if they want to and can, but this latest government move looks sets to punish disabled people, adding more anxiety on to disabled households that are already struggling.”