§ Q29. Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Prime Minister what steps the Government are taking to relieve poverty amongst the long-term unemployed.
§ The Prime MinisterWe have every sympathy with the problems faced by those who have been unemployed for a long time. The supplementary benefit scheme is intended to meet basic need and is available to unemployed people who have drawn their full entitlement of unemployment benefit or whose unemployment benefit is unsufficient to meet normal requirements. We must give all the unemployed the hope of worthwhile jobs in the future by tackling the fundamental economic problems which have made our economy especially vulnerable in the recession.