§ Mr. McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether, under the proposed jobseeker's allowance, an unemployed claimant will be entitled, without incurring a payment sanction, to(a) decline a job offer without showing good cause where the hours of work would be less than 24 hours per week and (b) whether it will be a good cause for turning down a job offer where (i) the travelling time is excessive or (ii) the work-based expenses a person would incur would represent an unreasonably high proportion of their wages; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeThese matters are still under consideration.
§ Mr. McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if the jobseeker's allowance will be made available to all of those actively seeking work or training, including those under 18 years of age.
§ Miss WiddecombeOur proposals for the jobseeker's allowance are that, as now, unemployed people must seek work actively in order to receive benefit.
All 16 and 17-year-olds are guaranteed a suitable youth training place and most young people under 18 are, therefore, excluded from benefit. These arrangements will continue when jobseeker's allowance is introduced.
Those 16 and 17-year olds required to be available for work and youth training who fall into specified categories 388W or who are at risk of unavoidable severe hardship will be paid within the structure of the jobseeker's allowance.