§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many social security applicants had applications refused or reduced because of the number of hours worked in the voluntary sector in each year since 1979.
§ Mr. BurtThere is no legislation limiting the amount of hours an unemployed person may spend working in the voluntary sector. Unemployed people who undertake unpaid voluntary work in this country may continue to receive benefits provided they satisfy the conditions of entitlement. These are that a person must be available for work and take reasonable steps, each week, to seek work.