§ Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary Of State for Social Services how many claimants have been suspended from unemployment benefit under the six-week rule for each year since 1964.
§ Mr. DeanThe information available relates to disqualifications for receiving unemployment benefit by the insurance officer under Section 22(2) of the National Insurance Act 1965. which were as follows:
1964 … … … 360,705 1965 … … … 380,146 1966 … … … 442,680 1967 … … … 543,169 1968 … … … 573.918 1969 … … … 597,243 1970 … … … 595,089 1971 … … … 452,519 1972 … … … 461,969 Section 22(2) provides for disqualification for unemployment benefit for up to six weeks in a number of circumstances of which the main ones are, where the claimant has voluntarily left his employment without just cause; has lost it through misconduct; or has, without good cause, refused a suitable job.
Some of the disqualifications were removed, or the period of disqualification was reduced, on appeal or review.