§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Paymaster General whether he will amend the regulations for awarding grants under the enterprise allowance scheme so as to place those under the age of 50 years on the same footing as those over 50 years of age; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierThe specific purpose of the enterprise allowance scheme is to provide an incentive for unemployed people in receipt of unemployment and supplementary benefit who would otherwise be deterred from going ahead with their business plans because they would lose their entitlement to benefit. People under 50 and those 50 and over are on essentially the same footing. However, in the case of redundant mineworkers, those 50 or over receive under the redundant mineworkers
382W
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe continually gather information from a wide variety of sources on all aspects of employment policy in other countries, including the United States. Sources include published articles and academic research and visits by Ministers and officials.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards workfare schemes.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have no plans to introduce a workfare scheme. Our policy is to help the long-term unemployed to get back into work through restart and the programmes to which it is a gateway.