§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether the differential benefits for under and over 25-year-olds were taken into account in planning the resources for the new adult training scheme; whether those who have their 25th birthday during their time on the course will automatically receive an increase in allowance in line with the Social Security Act 1986 differentials; and if he is prepared to reconsider such differentials in order to pay the same allowance to all participants of whatever age.
§ Mr. NichollsPayments to trainees in the new employment training programme will be those unanimously recommended by the Manpower Services Commission. The resources available for the new programme take into account the range of benefits that trainees may be receiving, including differential income support rates for people aged over and under 25. Those trainees who are in receipt of income support before joining employment training will continue to receive an element of income support while they train. Any change in circumstances—including reaching the age of 25—will therefore be reflected in the overall payment received by the individual. It is a basic principle of employment training that all participants should be better off while training than they would be if they remained unemployed and in receipt of benefit, and this will be ensured by the payment system we have adopted.
§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of jobless claimants referred from each jobcentre to benefit offices in each of the months January, February and March of this year.
§ Mr. LeeThis information is not available. Jobcentre staff do not keep a record of the numbers of jobless claimants referred to the unemployment benefit offices.