Written question asked by Lord Mann (Labour) on Friday, 9 October 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 October 2009. It was answered by Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour) on Monday, 26 October 2009 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Social Security Benefits: Councillors

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance her Department provides on the eligibility of local authority councillors for (a) welfare benefits and (b) jobseeker's allowance.

Answer: Detailed guidance on the rules of eligibility of local authority councillors for all Department for Work and Pensions administered social security benefits is provided in the Decision Makers Guide, a copy of which is held in the House of Commons Library and which is also available on the internet at"www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/decision-makers-guide/"Detailed guidance on the rules of eligibility of local authority councillors for housing benefit and council tax benefit is provided in the Housing Benefit Guidance Manual, a copy of which is held in the House of Commons Library and which is also available on the internet at"www.dwp.gov.uk/local-authority-staff/housing-benefit/claims-processing/operational-manuals/housing-benefit-guidance/"

Secondary information