§ 68. Ms. Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what effect the new eligibility criteria for entrants to community programme schemes which have been introduced are expected to have on the level of participation by married women in the scheme.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe number who will be affected by the decision to give priority to those people who meet the programme's criteria for long-term unemployment and are also benefit recipients will vary according to changing personal and family circumstances. Married women may claim benefit in their own right and we have provided that 447W where benefit is claimed by a head of household and includes an element of payment for an unemployed spouse, that spouse will also be regarded as a benefit recipient.