HC Deb 06 June 1995 vol 261 c102W
Mr. Rooney

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the proposed commencement date of the 16 guided learning hours provision embraced in the Jobseekers Bill. [26610]

Miss Widdecombe

I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library.

Mr. Rooney

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if employment service officials will have the power between 1 April 1996 and the implementation date of jobseeker's allowance to issue a jobseeker's direction to claimants. [26612]

Miss Widdecombe

No; but claimants will continue to be subject to sanction if they refuse or fail to carry out an official recommendation given with a view to assisting them find a particular type of employment.

Mr. Rooney

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if new claimants between 1 April 1996 and the implementation date of jobseeker's allowance will have to sign a jobseeker's agreement as a condition of benefit or if they will continue to be issued with the advisory back-to-work plan. [26611]

Miss Widdecombe

The jobseeker's agreement will be introduced when jobseeker's allowance is implemented in October 1996. The voluntary back-to-work plan will continue to be used until then. Different versions and processes will be tested in a small number of offices on a voluntary basis within the existing legislation in order to help plan the smooth introduction of JSA.

Forward to