§ Mr. NellistTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will organise a survey, on a similar but wider basis than that conducted by his Department in November 1986, into voluntary unemployment disqualifications to give national, and regional or district, statistics following the increase of the maximum period of disqualifications to 26 weeks.
§ Mr. Peter Lloyd[holding answer 16 March 1989]: I have been asked to reply.
A survey is currently being carried out to monitor the effects of increasing to 26 weeks the maximum period of disqualification for unemployment benefit in cases of voluntary unemployment. It will cover the first three months of 1989 and will provide information on the numbers and lengths of disqualifications imposed both nationally and regionally. In addition an independent agency has been commissioned to explore the impact of the increased maximum period of disqualification on decisions about leaving or taking work as well as the effects on the circumstances of those who are disqualified. We expect the results, which will be published, to be available in the summer.