§ Q5. Mr. CorbynTo ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit a jobcentre to discuss the operation of the jobseeker's allowance. [4343]
§ The Prime MinisterI have no immediate plans to do so.
§ Mr. CorbynThe Prime Minister should be ashamed of himself for not being prepared to go along to a jobcentre to discuss the introduction of the jobseeker's allowance, which is having a very serious effect on many 150 people, especially because of the parallel introduction of incapacity benefit; many disabled people who have to face an all work test will lose their benefits altogether and will have to try to get unemployment benefit through the jobseeker's allowance. When the Prime Minister visits a jobcentre, will he consider that point and what he intends to do for the 220,000 disabled people who next year will apply under the jobseeker's allowance for unemployment benefit, but will probably lose it and end up destitute as a result?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman is talking nonsense, and I think that he knows he is doing so. The purpose of the jobseeker's allowance, as he should know, is to help people to plan the most effective route back into work. It creates a better framework of advice and support for the jobseeker and ensures that claimants better understand that benefit is dependent on the activities that they undertake to look for work. I believe that that principle is well understood and well supported across the country.
The jobseeker's allowance is also, of course, underpinned by the jobseeker's agreement, which sets out what each jobseeker agrees to do to find work. That is infinitely preferable to the old system of unemployment benefit and income support, which was confusing and in many ways unfair.