§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why unemployment pay rates are still based on a six day working week; if he will change all payments to the basis of a five day week; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonA change of this kind, which would affect only people whose period of unemployment included a part-week or who were on short-time working, would have both advantages and disadvantages for those concerned. It would also have implications for other unemployment benefit rules and for incapacity benefits, which are also paid on a six-day week basis. There is no clear balance of advantage which would justify making a change and we have no plans to do so.