Written question asked by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 May 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 May 2000. It was answered by Lord Blunkett (Labour) on Thursday, 4 May 2000 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he plans to make benefit entitlement for those aged over 60 years dependent on their willingness to take up employment.

Answer: Mr. Caplin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he plans to make benefit entitlement for those aged over 60 years dependent on their willingness to take up employment. [120912] Mr. Blunkett: The Performance and Innovation Unit report, "Winning the Generation Game", published last month made 75 recommendations about improving people's opportunity to contribute to society in their later working years. This included a recommendation that the over-60s exemption from JSA be removed as pension ages are equalised between 2010 and 2020. However, the Government have no plans before then to introduce forms of conditionality for older workers which would move beyond the requirement to attend for interview and advice on employment prospects and benefit from the generous programme of measures we have introduced to make work pay for the over-50s. Consideration of how the recommendations will be implemented will be taken in due course and will seek to build on the clear philosophy and policy already set out by the Government.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 120912; 349 c198W
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Benefits rules Eligibility Pensioners Older people Social security benefits
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk