§ 14. Mr. GarnierTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what incentives to work will be included in his reforms of unemployment benefits. [24682]
§ Mr. BurtHelping people back to work is a key aim of Government policy.
This month we introduced extended payments of housing benefit and council tax benefit for unemployed people who return to work and the national insurance contribution holiday for employers.
With jobseeker's allowance in October, we will be introducing the back-to-work bonus. This will enable at least 150, 000 people a year to receive a tax-free lump sum of up to £1,000 when they leave benefit to take up work.
We will also be introducing earnings top-up, a new in-work benefit for people without dependent children, in eight pilot areas from October.