§ 74. Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is in a position to make a statement on the extension of the scheme to entitle unemployed people to take part in voluntary work without losing benefit.
§ Mr. NewtonOur opportunities for volunteering scheme to increase the opportunities for unemployed people to undertake voluntary work in the health and personal social services has proved a success, and I announced on 2 February, in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Woolwich, West (Mr. Bottomley)—[Vol. 36, c. 124]—that we are making a total of £5 million available for 1983–84 and a further £300,000 this year. The various voluntary organisations running projects may pay out of pocket expenses and allowances to volunteers, but only on the normal basis used by the organisation and provided that such expenses and allowances do not affect social security benefit. We published a new leaflet "Voluntary work and social 131W security benefits" and introduced new regulations in March 1982 to make it easier for unemployed people to do voluntary work without putting their benefits at risk.