HC Deb 30 October 1992 vol 212 cc919-20W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to continue providing income support hardship allowances in instances where a claimant's partner qualifies for the carer premium for looking after someone in another household.

Mr. Burt

A reduced rate of income support may be payable to claimants who fail the availability for work or the actively seeking work tests if an adjudication officer is satisfied that they would otherwise suffer hardship. However, the Government have announced their intention to remove entitlement to income support from some groups of claimants who fail the actively seeking work test.

Regulations will be laid before Parliament shortly when we have had an opportunity to consider the report of the social security advisory committee on our proposals.