Job Splitting Scheme

HC Deb 28 February 1983 vol 38 cc54-5W

Mr. Wardell

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give his reasons for stipulating a minimum of 15 hours per week for employees participating in the new job splitting scheme rather than a 16 hours week minimum.

Mr. Alison

The minimum of 15 hours per week was set to give employers the maximum flexibility in working out patterns for part time work created under the job splitting scheme.

Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many claims for grants under the job-splitting scheme have so far been received by his Department;

(2) how many payments to employers have so far been made under his Department's job-splitting scheme;

(3) how many payments to employers under the job-splitting scheme have been refused on the grounds that the prospective sharers are ineligible to participate in the scheme.

Mr. Alison

My Department has received 102 claims for payment of the grant payable under the job splitting scheme; 74 claims have been approved for payment and 12 claims have been rejected because the prospective job sharers are ineligible to participate in the scheme.