§ Mr. RooneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action will be taken against claimants who decline to participate in the job search element of project work. [27103]
§ Mr. ForthThe first 13 weeks of job search activity on the project work pilots is voluntary. Unemployed people will be offered extra help to find work through a range of opportunities including: 1-2-1 interviews, jobclub, jobfinder's grant, work trials, training for work and some specialist opportunities for people with disabilities. No action will be taken against clients who decline places on programmes.
Those who are then referred to project work experience will be required to attend three hours' supervised job search a week. Those who fail to do this without good cause may be subject to benefit sanctions.
353WAll people participating in the pilots are expected to meet benefit conditions and show that they are actively seeking and available for work; normal adjudication action will be taken for people who do not meet these conditions or refuse employment.