§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Paymaster General (1) if participants in the community programme are eligible for unemployment benefit on the days when they are not working on the programme;
(2) if he has any plans to alter the full extent normal rule to make community programme participants ineligible for unemployment benefits.
§ Mr. LeeSocial security legislation precludes the payment of unemployment benefit to anyone who establishes a pattern of regular working the same number of days each week. Decisions on individual claims are made by independent adjudicating authorities taking into account the particular circumstances of each case.
The amendment of social security legislation is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.