§ Mr. Andrew Smithasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average time spent by unemployed people in job clubs; and what are the benefit consequences of leaving the job club without having secured employment.
§ Mr. LeeThe average length of time spent in a job club by unemployed people is six weeks. Participants are encouraged to stay until they find a job, but if they leave before doing so their benefit entitlement is not affected.
In the current financial year to the end of August 1987 39,018 people passed through job clubs. Of these, 21,277 (54.5 per cent) found work and a further 5,025 (13 per cent.) took up a place on the community programme, a training scheme or the enterprise allowance scheme.