Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what flexibility he allows in the 21-hour per week rule for those engaging in education or training while claiming benefit.
§ Mr. Roger EvansI have been asked to reply.
The 21-hour rule is itself a special concession to the normal availability for work conditions, which enables income support claimants who are unemployed to spend their time usefully in part-time study whilst continuing their search for work. They must continue, however, to make a sustained effort each week to find a job and be prepared to leave the course immediately a suitable vacancy becomes available.