§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the new Job Grant. [132609]
§ Angela EagleWe are introducing a new initiative from April 2001, known as the Job Grant.
For the first time, cash help with the transition from welfare to work will be available to most longer term claimants of a range of benefits. Lone parents will continue to benefit from the Lone Parent Run-On, but other claimants of Income Support (IS), Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), Incapacity Benefit (IB), or Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) who are 25 or over and have been on benefit for at least a year, and who are moving into full-time work which is expected to last for five weeks or more, will now get a flat rate non-taxable 166W payment of £100. Jobseekers who are under 25 will continue to benefit from the intensive help offered by the New Deal for Young People.
The Job Grant will replace the Jobfinders Grant and Job Match payments. The new grant will be simpler, more universal and will have fewer conditions.