§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the Transport costs incurred by jobseeker's allowance claimants in rural areas in meeting the requirement regularly to sign on at their local jobcentre by virtue of their residence within four hours' travelling distance; and if he will make a statement. [13218]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthWe want as many jobseekers as possible to have regular access to jobcentre advice and services, to help them return to work as quickly possible. The great majority therefore attend each fortnight. However, a small minority sign by post instead, because of the distance they live from the jobcentre. Postal signing is normally agreed for anyone whose normal door-to-door journey to the jobcentre using public transport using public transport would take more than an hour in either direction, or would have to be away from home for more than four hours in total.
We have made no estimate of the costs incurred in fortnightly attendance at the jobcentre. Most people incur some costs, and it has never been the practice to refund them. Jobcentres can of course consider accommodating jobseekers' normal day of attendance to any weekday on which they may regularly travel to the town concerned.