§ Mr. Willie W. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has had from local authorities and others concerning the decision of the Manpower Services Commission to change the criteria for eligibility for employment under the community programme; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 29 October at column 782.
§ Mr. Willie W. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the implications for married women and for the husbands of working women earning over £45.55 of the new criteria laid down by the Manpower Services Commission for eligibility for employment under the community programme.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonAs a result of the additional qualification for participation on the community programme announced by my right hon. Friend on 30 July at column121–2, some married people, men and women, who do not qualify for supplementary benefit because their spouses are in employment, may no longer meet the programme's eligibility criteria. Supplementary benefit is assessed on the individual needs of a claimant and his/her partner. The earnings level of the partner, which prevents 883W a claimant from receiving benefit, depends on the overall needs of the family unit—calculated in accordance with the supplementary benefit regulations.