§ Mr. Macfarlaneasked the Paymaster General whether he is proposing to make any further changes to the job splitting scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeeThe job splitting scheme will continue with improvements designed to encourage changes in working patterns and to help in reducing unemployment. From 1 April the main changes are:
- to increase the grant available to employers from £840 to £1,000, payable in three installments of £500, £200, and £300;
- part-time employee places to be open to anyone claiming at an unemployment benefit office;
- to change the name of the scheme to jobshure, a title which more accurately reflects the principle behind the provision and the name most commonly used by the public when describing the job splitting scheme.
New booklets giving details of the changes, together with a simplified application form, will be available from the employment measures units of the Department of Employment and jobcentres shortly.