HC Deb 19 March 1981 vol 1 cc186-7W
Mr. Blackburn

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to modify the pattern of grants and allowances payable under the employment transfer scheme.

Mr. Peter Morrison

With effect from 1 April 1981 the grants and allowances payable under the employment transfer scheme will be changed as follows:

Change
(a) Free Fare to take up work No change
(b) Free Fare for dependants to travel to join the applicant No change
(c) Settling in Grant These facilities will be withdrawn and replaced by a new Transfer Grant
(d) Temporary Separation Allowance
(e) Disturbance Allowance
(f) Continuing Liability Allowance
(g) Retention of Lodgings Allowance
(h) Assisted Home Visits
(i) Transfer Grant

The new transfer grant will be payable at one of four rates:

£
Rate One: For an applicant with spouse and one or more children 1,200
Rate Two: For an applicant with a spouse but no "children OR an applicant with no spouse but one or more dependants 960
Rate Three: For an applicant without dependants who is a householder 735
Rate Four: For an applicant without dependants who is not a house holder 295

The transfer grant will be payable in five stages over one year. The first payment will be made as soon as possible after the applicant has started work and the other four will be paid at quarterly intervals. The transfer grant may, however, be paid in advance for house purchase.

Amount
(j) Legal Expenses for sale of property Currently 75 per cent, of approved costs up to a maximum of £350. This will be changed to 100 per cent, of approved costs up to a maximum of £700. Currently 75 per cent, of approved costs up to a maximum of £235. This will be changed to 100 per cent, of approved costs up to a maximum of £350
(k) Legal Expenses for purchase of property.
(l) Mobility Premium for those who have completed a substantial course under the Training Opportunities Scheme and who are moving to take up work requiring the newly acquired skill £200 payable in four-stages at quarterly intervals.

The Manpower Services Commission has also reviewed and revised the rules governing eligibility and entitlement to assistance under the employment transfer scheme to make them easier to understand and simpler to apply. The rules will be printed in a new transfer scheme handbook, copies of which will shortly be placed in the Library. A new leaflet has been prepared for the public and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

Mr. Blackburn

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to raise the pay limit for assistance under the job search and employment transfer schemes.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The pay limit above which assistance under the job search and employment transfer schemes is not available will be increased from £6,264 per annum—£120 per week—to £7,308 per annum—£140 per week—with effect from 1 April 1981.

Wolverhampton employment office area West Midlands Region
at employment office At careers office At employment offices At careers offices
May 1979 524 67 16,069 4,695
February 1981 166 6 4,607 350

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