§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what provisions exist for employees to receive income maintenance benefits during a period of compulsory unpaid holidays at their place of work; and how many people are affected by them.
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 17 January 1991]: People who normally work fewer than 24 hours a week can claim income support, or an increase in income support if it is already in payment, during a period of compulsory unpaid holiday. For those people who are normally working 24 hours or more a week and have a dependent child, family credit is available. Family credit is awarded for 26 weeks and remains in payment if an unpaid holiday falls within the period of the award. Information about the number of people affected is not available.