Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the extent to which the jobseeker's allowance regime facilitates legitimate voluntary work that might boost a jobseeker's skills and experience.

In recognition of the clear employment-related benefits, there are flexibilities within Regulations that allow people to participate in volunteering and still receive Jobseeker’s Allowance. For example, while all claimants must be available for and actively seeking work, those requirements can be adjusted to take into account any volunteering being undertaken.

I feel those easements offer the right balance in terms of requiring claimants to be available for and actively seeking work with a view to finding a job quickly, while also reaping the employment-related benefits of volunteering.