Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect of the number of hours a claimant in the all work related requirements group must seek on the number of claimants facing sanctions as a result of not being able to search for work of 35 hours per week.

Work search expectations, including the number of hours a claimant is expected to be available for work, are tailored to the individual and their circumstances and agreed with the claimant before any potential sanction for non-compliance would result.

The number of hours expected will be reduced where, any health or caring responsibilities mean it would be unreasonable for the claimant to complete these. For example, a claimant who is the carer for a child aged 3 or 4 would not be expected to do more than 16 hours of work related activity a week.

It is only where the claimant has no limitations on their availability or capability that the maximum of 35 hours a week would be expected.