§ Lord Diamondasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many persons were engaged on the Community Programme at the date of the last unemployment count; what were the average hours worked per person per week; how were the persons engaged part-time treated both for the count, and for the count of jobs created; and whether any change in either treatment is contemplated following the recent ruling of the Social Security Commissioners (with regard to unemployment benefit on days not engaged on the Community Programme).
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§ The Secretary of State for Employment (Lord Young of Graffham)At 30th January 1987, the latest date for which information is available, 248,255 people were working on the Community Programme. It is estimated that on average Community Programme employees work for about 26 hours per week.
Relatively few people working on the Community Programme also claim benefits at an Unemployment Benefit Office. Where they do, they are included in the unemployment count. The official estimates of the number of people in employment include those working on the Community Programme.
No changes in these arrangements are proposed. However, under regulations laid on 3rd March 1987 by my honourable friend the Minister of State for Social Security, people receiving earnings from Community Programme work are not entitled also to unemployment benefit.