§ Mr. Ian McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what signing-on arrangements she plans to place on(a) existing postal claimants and (b) new claimants who reside more than six miles from an Employment Service office when they sign on for jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement. [20785]
§ Mr. ForthMost jobseekers will be required to attend a jobcentre every fortnight to sign a declaration that they have been available for employment, have been actively seeking employment and that their circumstances have not changed. Jobseekers will be allowed to provide such a signed declaration by post where:
- their journey between their home and the jobcentre in either direction would take over one hour using appropriate means of transport; or
- attendance would involve an absence from home over four hours; or
- they have a disability which reduces their mobility
They will be required to attend a jobcentre every 13 weeks for an interview with an Employment Service adviser.
Existing postal claimants who do not meet these new criteria will be required to attend the jobcentre fortnightly after their first quarterly review following the introduction of jobseeker's allowance. This conversion process should be completed within three months from 7 October.