§ Paul HolmesTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what proportion of(a) economically inactive people on (i) incapacity benefit and (ii) other disability benefits and (b) lone parents were on income support without a first Level 2 qualification in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement; [114488]
(2) what the duration of claims by (a) economically inactive people on (i) incapacity benefit and (ii) other disability benefits and (b) lone parents on income support without a first Level 2 qualification was in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [114489]
§ Mr. BrowneThe information is not available.
However, the Labour Force Survey shows that 69 per cent. of disabled people receiving Incapacity Benefit and 78 per cent. of lone parents receiving Income Support have qualifications below level 2.
This is why Jobcentre Plus training is strongly focused on basic skills and more appropriately targeted training, ensuring that this is linked to the labour market rather than just a qualification. Our evidence suggests that a Level 2 qualification is not, in general, the most significant milestone in terms of employability. There is a much bigger difference in terms of employment rates between those with no qualifications and a qualification of any kind, and particularly between those with or without basic skills, than between Level 2 and lower qualifications.