§ Ms. Clare Shortasked the Paymaster General what guidance has been given to jobcentre managers and restart counsellors on the practice of restart interviewees being accompanied by a friend, adviser or other similar third party; and what is his policy on this practice.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeJobcentre staff have been told that a third party may accompany a person to a restart interview if the interviewee so wishes, so long as the friend is present to assist the restart participant with the interview.
§ Mr. Haynesasked the Paymaster General how many miners in Ashfield who have accepted redundancy have been ordered to report to the local Department of Employment for participation in the restart scheme.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeEveryone who has been claiming unemployment related benefits for more than 12 months will be invited to a restart counselling interview by the Manpower Services Commission. We have no means of knowing how many of these are miners who have accepted redundancy. Everyone interviewed will be offered help and advice about possible steps back into employment.