§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of students undertaking further education for no more than 20 hours' per week who have been denied income support on the basis that their 20 hours' study is designated as full-time education; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BurtThis information is not available. Students following a full-time course of education, irrespective of the number of hours they attend each week, should look to the educational maintenance system for the necessary financial support.
Whether a course is designated as full time or part time is a matter for the individual educational establishment. Unemployed income support claimants who take advantage of part-time education courses for up to 21 hours a week benefit from a valuable concession in the income support scheme. They are treated as available for work, but have to satisfy all other relevant provisions whilst continuing their search for work.