§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on(a) local exchange trading schemes and (b) time banks, with specific reference to benefit claimants. [8492]
§ Malcolm WicksParticipation in local exchange trading schemes is treated as employment for those claiming income-related benefits, and any credits received are treated as earnings.
Entitlement to benefits is not affected by participation in time exchange schemes where the credits derived are counted in time and not exchanged for goods or services.