§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will change the limit on earnings which can be retained by people on Jobseeker's Allowance; and if he will make a statement. [8097]
§ Malcolm WicksThe earnings disregards for Jobseeker's Allowance are aimed at achieving a balance between encouraging people to undertake part-time work and remain in touch with the labour market, while not creating disincentives for them to take up full-time work and become independent.
We keep the levels of earnings disregards under review. The higher earnings disregard for lone parents, people with disabilities and certain other special groups was increased by a third to £20 from April this year.