§ Ms. ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what will be the position of a trainee who is receiving income support on the proposed employment 327W training scheme, whose spouse or partner gets (a) a job for more than 24 hours a week, or (b) a job for less than 24 hours a week, during the trainee's time on the programme; whether such persons will be obliged to inform his Department of these change in circumstance; and what impact the spouse or partner's earnings will have on the trainee's training allowance.
§ Mr. NichollsAll those in receipt of income support, including employment training participants, are obliged to inform the DHSS of any change in their, or their partner's circumstances. Income support can normally only remain payable so long as neither partner works for 24 hours a week or more. A partner's wages from part-time employment will be taken into account after allowing the appropriate earnings disregard (£5 or £15 per week). If the income support entitlement of an employment training participant is reduced, the basic training allowance payable may also be reduced to ensure an element of income support remains in payment and entitlement to "passported benefits" is safeguarded.