§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what action is being taken to ensure that adjudication officers are aware of the relevant case law in relation to suspension of income support through claimant's misconduct or leaving without good cause;
(2) what guidance he issues to his officials with regard to 26 weeks being the maximum figure for disqualification from income support on the grounds of misconduct or leaving without good cause, and not the standard figure.
§ Mr. Peter LloydWritten guidance, which takes account of relevant case law, is given to adjudication officers by the chief adjudication officer in paragraphs 28901–28966 of the adjudication officers' guide. The adjudication officers' guide is published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. A copy is in the Library.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average length of disqualification from income support for claimants who have lost their job through their misconduct, or leaving without good cause.
§ Mr. Peter LloydNo one is disqualified from receiving income support because they have either lost a job through 149W their misconduct or left it voluntarily without just cause. In such cases the claimant's personal level of income support is reduced—usually by 40 per cent. but by 20 per cent. if the claimant or a member of the family is seriously ill or pregnant and the family has less than £200 in savings. The average length of such reductions could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the rates bill estimates used to calculate the adjustments made in income support to cover claimants' 20 per cent. liability.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe calculations in April 1988 were based on details of rates paid by housing benefit recipients in 1986 uprated to estimated 1988–89 levels. Income support levels were further adjusted from April this year to include help towards the minimum 20 per cent. contribution to the community charge that recipients would be expected to pay. The amounts included continue to provide help towards the minimum contribution to domestic rates for people living in England and Wales.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average domestic rates bill in England and Wales for 1989–90 of people in receipt of income support.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI regret that this information is not available.