To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with the Department for Communities and Local Government on the community allowance pilots. (231485)

We jointly announced with the Department for Communities and Local Government in Communities in Control: real people, real power (CM7427) that the CREATE Consortium could pilot the community allowance within the existing benefits and permitted work structure. This was part of ongoing discussions with the Department for Communities and Local Government to explore how to promote paid community work for out of work benefit claimants to improve their chances of moving into work and benefit the community in which they live.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will introduce a community allowance as part of the new employment and support allowance regime. (231487)

We have always made clear that the CREATE consortium will be able to pilot the community allowance within the existing benefits and permitted work structure. We would want to see a full evaluation of the allowance and the impact on improving benefit claimants' chances of moving into work before we considered whether to introduce it more widely.