§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether unemployed persons are allowed, without losing benefit, to register on part-time courses at colleges, especially where such courses can enhance job prospects; what instructions have been given to unemployment benefit offices on this matter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonA person's entitlement to unemployment benefit is not affected by any part-time study he may undertake, provided he remains available for work. Similar rules apply to an adult in receipt of supplementary benefit, although he may also take advantage of the 21-hour rule on part-time study and training, which specifies that a person shall be treated as available for work provided he satisfies the prescribed conditions.
The position for young people under the age of 19 in receipt of supplementary benefit is affected by the interplay with the child benefit rules. Any unemployed young person may, provided he remains available for work, follow a course of up to 15 hours a week inclusive of private study without bringing himself within the scope of child benefit and thus putting his own supplementary benefit entitlement at risk. If he wishes to follow a more extensive course of part-time study or training whilst still in receipt of supplementary benefit, he must satisfy the conditions of the 21-hour rule:
- i he must complete a period of three months available for work and in receipt of supplementary benefit immediately before commencing the course;
- ii the course must be for not more than 21 hours classroom instruction a week;
- iii he must be prepared to give up the course immediately a suitable vacancy becomes available.
Unemployment benefit offices already have appropriate instructions on the points that concern them. The Chief Supplementary Benefit Officer has recently issued further 511W amplified guidance to DHSS local offices on the supplementary benefit 21-hour rule and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.