§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants in the London borough of Lewisham were refused benefits because they either carried out more than 24 hours voluntary work each week or studied for more than 21 hours per week in each year since 1987.
§ Mr. BurtThere is no legislation limiting the amount of hours an unemployed person may spend working in the voluntary sector. An unemployed person who undertakes unpaid voluntary work in this country may continue to receive benefit provided they satisfy the conditions of entitlement. These are that a person must be available for, and actively seeking, work.
An unemployed person who studies part-time for up to 21 hours a week may be treated as available for work in order to receive income support. An unemployed person who undertakes part-time study for more than 21 hours a week may also continue to receive benefit if they can demonstrate that they are available for work and so satisfy the availability condition. All unemployed people who study part time must continue to actively seek work.