§ Mr. Geraint DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the introduction of joint claims for Jobseeker's Allowance. [154774]
§ Ms JowellRegulations have been approved by Parliament to introduce joint claims for Jobseeker's Allowance from 19 March 2001.
Under the new provisions, couples without dependent children wishing to claim Jobseeker's Allowance will have to make a joint claim from 19 March 2001. This will apply where one member or both members of the couple were born after 19 March 1976, covering couples where at least one member is aged 18 to 24 years when the requirement is introduced. Each member of the couple will be required to meet Jobseeker's Allowance conditions and will be required to be available for and actively seek work. They will both receive help to obtain work and will be directed to training programmes or New Deal assistance as appropriate.
36WAbout 10,000 existing claimants and 27,000 new claims will be covered during the first year.
A key aim of joint claims for Jobseeker's Allowance is to help tackle the problem of workless households. Joint claims will ensure that both members of unemployed couples without dependants are directly involved in the labour market and do not become dependent on benefits from an early age when they are in a position to find and take work.