LUNCH EXPENSES FOR UNEMPLOYED VOLUNTEERS

Early day motion 2529, tabled 6 July 2006 by Diane Abbott (Labour). Signed by 123 members.

That this House believes that volunteers play an important role in building and empowering communities and that volunteering should be encouraged for all; supports job seekers and the unemployed who make time to volunteer whilst also seeking employment; notes with dismay the recent Department for Work and Pensions booklet that states that volunteers on Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance will not normally be entitled to claim lunch as an expense; is concerned that the long-standing reimbursement of volunteers as a way of appreciating and recognising their input may be undermined; is further concerned that those least able to afford volunteering are more likely to be discouraged from doing so if reasonable expenses are not provided; notes that volunteering should not be considered `basic needs'; and calls on the Department for Work and Pensions to promote volunteering as a benefit to job seekers and their communities, for which volunteers should have the right to claim reasonable and essential expenses.

Signatures by party: Labour 67, Liberal Democrat 31, Conservative 18, DUP 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.