HC Deb 25 June 1993 vol 227 cc302-3W
Mr. Devlin

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps should be taken by individuals wishing to claim unemployment benefit while undertaking a nationally recognised vocational training scheme following the announcement in the Budget statement of 16 March.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Mr. M. Fogden to Mr. Tim Devlin, dated 25 June 1993:

As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question to him about what steps should be taken by individuals wishing to claim unemployment benefit whilse undertaking a nationally recognised vocational training scheme following the announcement in the Budget statement of 16th March. This is something that falls within the responsibilities he has delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.

For Training for Work (TFW) participants, allowances are paid at the benefit level previously in payment but with an addition of £10 Premium. In cases where there is no entitlement to benefit or benefit has ceased, the £10 Premium only is payable. Information on joining TFW is available from all Employment Service local offices.

For clients on Learning For Work (LfW), the situation will be slightly different with allowances at the benefit level previously in payment but with no Premium being payable. Where there is no entitlement to benefit or benefit has ceased, no allowance will be payable. The programme will be starting on 1 September 1993 in England and Wales and on 16 August 1993 in Scotland. Information on joining LfW will be available from Employment Service local offices.

Unemployment benefit offers support whilst a person is unemployed and seeking work; it is not intended as support for courses of vocational training or study. In order to receive unemployment benefit, people undertaking any type of training must remain available for and be actively seeking work, and be willing to rearrange their study, if necessary to evenings and weekends, to enable them to take up an opportunity of employment. Should this not be possible they would have to abandon the course in favour of employment. They must also continue to take reasonable steps to seek work. Participating in a course of vocational training may be regarded as one reasonable step but they would also be expected to take additional steps.

I hope this is helpful.

As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.