§ Mr. PondTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if any young person will be disqualified from receipt of benefit solely for refusing to take up the proposed New Deal option of serving in the Armed Forces. [42136]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithThere is no separate New Deal "option" of serving in the Armed Forces. That said, one of the opportunities which the New Deal for 18–24 year olds is able to offer to unemployed young people is the chance to consider a possible career in the Armed Forces.380W No one will face benefit sanctions solely for choosing not to do so. Employment Service guidelines make clear that entry to the Armed Forces must be voluntary.