HL Deb 28 October 1985 vol 467 cc1441-2WA
Lord Graham of Edmonton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When legislation will become effective which will allow unemployment benefit to be paid to persons accepting voluntary redundancy; and what instructions or guidance they have given to employment offices on this matter.

Baroness Trumpington

Section 20 of the Social Security Act 1975 was amended by Section 10 of the Social Security Act 1985 with effect from 22nd July 1985 to establish that workers made redundant are not regarded as having left their employment voluntarily. The Department of Employment issued urgent instructions to their local offices on 26th June on identifying and listing of these cases, and more detailed instructions on how to deal with them on 23rd July. Workers who lost benefit because of voluntary redundancy before the amendment came into effect have received, or are receiving, extra-statutory payments.