Benefits (Refusal) (Hansard, 3 February 1995)

§ Ms Harman
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have been refused benefit under section 28(5) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefit Act 1992, on the grounds that they have refused a job because of the rate of pay.

§ Miss Widdecombe
Responsibility 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 M. E. G. Fogden to Ms Harriet Harman, dated 3 February 1995: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the number of people who have been disqualified from receiving unemployment benefit on the grounds that they have refused a job because of the rate of pay. Unfortunately we do not collect the information you have requested. We record the number of adjudication decisions for all the main entitlement questions arising on claims, including those following refusal of employment, but we do not record the reasons for the decisions. Information on the number of adjudication officers' decisions, and disallowance rates, is contained in a published document entitled "Analysis of Adjudication Officers' Decisions". Copies of this document are held in the Library of the House. The latest available information relates to the quarter and a half year ending 30 September 1994. I hope this is helpful.

§ Ms Harman
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the number of people who will be refused benefit by virtue of their answer to question 18 of the draft jobsearch plan.

§ Miss Widdecombe
The jobsearch plan is not designed as a test of availability for work but will enable jobseekers to set out information to help them prepare for the discussions with an employment adviser about their jobseekers agreement.
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§ Ms Harman
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to issue guidance about question 18 of the draft jobsearch plan.

§ Miss Widdecombe
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will issue guidance to Employment Service staff on the use of the jobsearch plan in helping jobseekers prepare for discussions about their jobseeker's agreement.