§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to extend the eligibility for the travel-to-interview scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythResponsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from A. G. Johnson to Mr. Andrew Smith, dated 15 July 1994:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question about extending the eligibility for the Travel to Interview Scheme (TIS). I am replying in the Chief Executive's absence.We are presently considering a package of changes to improve the working of the Scheme within available resources. In doing so we are re-examining many of the rules which cause people most concern. These include rules about the salary level cut-off point, the duration of the job applied for and help where a second or third interview is necessary for the same job. In making such changes we have first to be sure that the Scheme remains an incentive for unemployed people to widen their job search and that it does not subsidise activity which would, in any case, take place.If it is possible to redevelop the scheme in the way we wish, we would hope to be able to introduce the changes this year.I hope this is helpful.