§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to review the provision in the proposed jobseeker's allowance that a claimant has to be available for work for 40 hours per week and still accept any job that is offered, in the light of changing trends in the number of jobs which are part-time. [31660]
§ Miss WiddecombeNone. People claiming jobseeker's allowance should ensure that they are open to a wide range of job opportunities. They should therefore be willing to work for a minimum of 40 hours per week, even if they would prefer to work fewer hours. Jobseekers will not, however, be subject to a sanction for refusing a job offered to them if they can show good cause for that refusal.