Full-Time Students (Unemployment And Supplementary Benefit)

Mr. Gwilym Roberts
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will amend the condition of qualification for unemployment and supplementary benefit to enable full-time students to qualify even if for considerable parts of the year they are not able to satisfy the availability for work criteria; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Chalker
No. It is a long-standing and fundamental condition for receipt of unemployment benefit and supplementary benefit that an unemployed person must be capable of and available for work. Full-time students cannot normally satisfy this condition during term-time because of their educational commitments.