HL Deb 23 November 1987 vol 490 cc529-30WA
Baroness Jeger

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What provision for appeal is available to workers denied benefit on the grounds that they have left their jobs voluntarily; how many such appeals have been won and lost (to the last convenient date); and what has been the average delay in the settlement of appeals.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Skelmersdale)

Any decision by an adjudication officer on a claim to a social security benefit carries the right of appeal to an independent social security appeal tribunal.

In the three months to 31st March 1987, the latest period for which statistics are available, there were 1,002 appeals heard against the disqualification for unemployment benefit because the last employment was left without just cause. Of these, 426 (43 per cent.) were decided in the claimant's favour, while the average time between the lodgement and hearing of these appeals was 17.3 weeks.

Baroness Jeger

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether workers appealing against loss of benefit on the grounds of alleged self-dismissal will have their national insurance contributions franked pending settlement of their appeal.

Lord Skelmersdale

I assume the noble Baroness is referring to national insurance credits. Claimants who leave their jobs voluntarily without just cause may be disqualified from unemployment benefit for up to 13 weeks. They would not be entitled to credits for this period and would not be granted them pending appeal. If a claimant successfully appeals against disqualification, he will receive unemployment benefit retrospectively and be entitled to credits for the period to which his disqualification was held not to apply.

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