---

Dept for Education and Employment;Employment Service

Answer

Mr. Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many claimants of jobseeker's allowance restrict their availability for work because of ill health or disability; and how many of these are over the age of 50 years. [26164] Mr. Alan Howarth: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Jim Fitzpatrick, dated February 1998: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question relating to the number of Jobseeker's Allowance claimants who restrict their availability for work because of ill-health or disability and how many of these are over age 50. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Employment Service Chief Executive. Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations allow people with physical and mental health problems to restrict their availability, providing the restrictions are reasonable in the light of their condition. Jobseekers agree any restrictions with advisers when they draw up their Jobseeker's Agreement when they first claim Jobseeker's Allowance. Unfortunately, I am unable to provide the precise information you require. We do not hold information about how many jobseekers there are who place restrictions on ill-health or disability and are over 50 years of age. Statistics are available on the number of claims referred to and decisions made by the adjudication authorities where there is a doubt on availability because an unreasonable restriction has been identified. These can be found within the Analysis of Adjudication Officers Decisions, a copy of which is retained within the House of Commons Library. I hope this is helpful.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

26164; 306 c283W

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Disability Applications Jobseeker's allowance Eligibility Staff Social security benefits Unemployment benefits

Contains statistics

Yes