§ Mr. Stanleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services under what section of the National Insurance Act 1965 unemployment benefit is payable when those in full-time employment become part-time workers as a result of voluntarily entering into work-sharing agreements.
§ Mr. O'MalleyUnemployment benefit is payable under Section 19 of the National Insurance Act 1965, as modified by other sections of that Act and regulations made thereunder, for days of unemployment provided that the claimant is capable of work and available for employment on those days. Where a person's employment has not been terminated, days on which he would not normally work do not count as days of unemployment, under Section 20(1)(b) of the Act, unless he is unemployed for a 240W full week. Provision is made in regulations for excluding days from counting as days of unemployment if they are over and above the full extent of normal working except where short-time working is due to adverse industrial conditions.
§ Mr. Stanleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether it is now the general policy of her Department to pay unemployment benefit for the days not worked when those in full-time employment become part-time workers as a result of voluntarily entering into work-sharing agreements.
§ Mr. O'MalleyThe policy of my Department is to pay unemployment benefit in accordance with the law. The application of the law to the facts of an individual claim is a matter for the independent adjudicating authorities.