ENTITLEMENT TO BENEFITS

Early day motion 46, tabled 28 June 2001 by Gerry Steinberg (Labour). Signed by 54 members.

That this House is appalled at the length of time, almost five years, it is taking for a final ruling to be made on the entitlement to benefits for mainly women term-time workers in educational establishments, particularly universities, who are laid off during holidays, up to 20 weeks per year, and who receive no pay and are denied benefits although they had been advised by the Benefits Agency when they accepted the jobs that they would qualify for benefits; further notes that during the time they are off work they receive no national insurance contributions which will have a detrimental effect on their pensions; and calls for an immediate resolution of this problem.

Signatures by party: Labour 39, Liberal Democrat 5, Labour/Co-operative 4, Scottish National Party 3, Plaid Cymru 2, UUP 1.