§ 98. Mr. MarlowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will strengthen the requirements for potential unemployment pay beneficiaries to seek work.
§ Mr. ScottI refer my hon. Friend to the announcement by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in the debate on the Loyal Address on 24 November at column 245. We propose to introduce a requirement that those claiming unemployment benefits must take active steps to find work.
§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has regarding the proportion of unemployment benefit disqualification cases in which disqualification was imposed for the maximum period(a) when the maximum was six weeks, (b when it was 13 weeks and (c)> since it was increased to 26 weeks.
§ Mr. ScottThere is no information available on the proportion of cases in which the maximum unemployment benefit disqualification period was imposed when that maximum was six weeks.
A very limited survey undertaken after the change in October 1986 showed that a maximum period of disqualification—13 weeks—was imposed in about 75 per cent. of cases. A copy of this survey was placed in the Library on 4 March 1988.
The effect of the increase in the maximum period to 26 weeks in April 1988 is being monitored and results should be available next year. An early examination by the chief
Family Type Family credit ceilings (£pw) Housing benefit ceiling (£pw) Rates Rent Gross earnings Net earnings Gross earnings Net earnings Gross earnings Net earnings Single parent, one child under 11 130 105.49 56 53.20 55 52.25 Single parent, two children under 11 143 114.07 55 52.25 54 51.30 Single parent, three children under 11 156 122.65 52 49.40 51 48.45 Married couple, one child under 11 130 105.49 95 84.29 93 82.93 Married couple, two children under 11 143 114.07 93 82.93 90 80.89 Married couple, three children under 11 156 122.65 80 74.09 78 72.54 Notes: Average local authority rent and rate figures for 1988 are:
For one child family: rent £18.60 per week; rates £7.70 per weekFor two child family: rent £19.90 per week; rates £8.20 per week