§ Ms ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what circumstances employed status participants in training for work, or in independent programmes supported by the European social fund, can claim in-work benefits including family credit and disability working allowance; and if he will make a statement. [15155]
§ Mr. Roger EvansIn general, any employee, including a participant in a training scheme supported by the European social fund, can claim family credit or disability working allowance, provided that he satisfies the other conditions of entitlement. However, because the Training for Work (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 1993 and the Training for Work (Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise Programmes) Order 1993 specify that participants in those schemes shall not be treated as being employed, employed status trainees under those schemes are currently unable to qualify for family credit or disability working allowance although they may qualify for income support. My hon. Friends the Under-Secretary of State for Employment and the Minster with responsibility for industry and local government at the Scottish Office propose to lay new orders shortly in order to enable such trainees to qualify for family credit and disability working allowance on the same basis as other employees.
Participants in any training scheme can claim housing benefit and council tax benefit and will continue to be able to do so.