§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 22 January 1998,Official Report, column 671, on councillors' allowances, if she will list concessions in the benefits system which are available to councillors but not to other people. [25859]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyNeither Jobseeker's Allowance nor Income Support are payable to people who work for 16 hours a week or more on average. Work done as a councillor does not count towards the 16 hours allowed before benefit entitlement ceases.
Travel allowances paid to councillors, including those from home to council offices, are also ignored for benefit purposes. For other part-time employees, work related expenses, including travel expenses, are not disregarded.