§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what circumstances those individuals who have refused to take up one of the four options under the welfaretowork scheme and had their jobseeker's allowance removed for four weeks will(a) go back onto jobseeker's allowance for six months and (b) go onto income support. [24552]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyJobseeker's Allowance is intended for people who are out of work for reasons beyond their own control. Young people who unreasonably perpetuate their own unemployment by refusing to take up one of the four options offered under the New Deal will be subject to benefit sanctions for as long as they continue to refuse. There is no fifth option of a life on benefit.
Young people will not qualify for Income Support unless they do so under current arrangements.