HC Deb 26 January 1978 vol 942 cc712-3W
Mrs. Chalker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will update the information on unemployed persons given to the hon. Member for Wallasey, Official Report, 1st December 1975, c. 447.

Mr. Orme

Following is the information:

CLAIMANTS WHO LEAVE OR REFUSE EMPOLYMENT WITHOUT GOOD CAUSE
Supplementary Allowance Reduced
Year Number of claimants affected
(from Sample Enquiry)
1975 26,000

Due to industrial action in some unemployment benefit officers the information is not available for 1976.

Supplementary Allowance Refused or Withdrawn
Year Number of claimants affected
1975 4,262
1976 2,352
1977 1,168 (up to 30 June 1977)

Note. These figures include a small number of cases where supplementary allowances were withdrawn for other reasons.

Mrs. Chalker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will update the information on unemployed persons given to the hon. Member for Wallasey, Official Report, 1st December 1975. c. 447–8

Mr. Orme

The information is as follows:

UNEMPOLYMENT BENEFIT
Year Left voluntarily without just cause Refused suitable employment without good cause
1975 390,000 5,000
1976 398,000 3,000

NOTE: Some of the disqualifications were removed, or the period of disallowance reduced, on appeal or revision. The figures for 1977 are not yet available.

Information about the number of claimants who have suffered a 40 per cent. reduction in supplementary benefit because of disqualification from unemployment benefit is contained in my other reply to the hon. Member today.