§ 26. Mr. Penhaligonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the working of the regulations which terminate an individual's right to unemployment pay after three years of working just during the summer.
§ Mr. NewtonFor unemployment benefit purposes a seasonal worker is a person who works for only part of the year (whether just the summer or a longer period) at about the same time each year for long enough to establish a seasonal work pattern, which usually means for each of the last three years. Such a person may receive unemployment benefit during his off season if he can show that he has had or can reasonably expect to obtain a substantial amount of work during that off season. There is no practical way of distinguishing between voluntary and involuntary seasonal workers and the regulation applies to all. I am satisfied that the rule achieves its purpose. The regulation does not apply to supplementary benefit and an unemployed seasonal worker can receive that benefit if otherwise eligible, though there are special rules about income earned during the on season.