§ Ms. ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the effect on the income support of participants in the action credit pilot scheme who receive financial help in kind towards their travel-to-work and meal costs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe rules for the treatment of payments for travel and meal costs are the same for participants working under the action credit scheme as for anyone in part-time employment and receiving income support. Financial help with these expenses is normally treated as earnings and taken into account in the usual way. However, any payment in respect of expenses which are incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily in the performance of the duties of the employment is fully disregarded. Similarly, payments made in kind, such as the provision of a meal or a bus pass, are completely ignored.