Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 2 April 2014, Official Report, column 722W, what information his Department (a) holds and (b) has commissioned on the number of jobseekers moving into zero-hours contract jobs.

Information on jobseekers moving into zero-hours contract jobs is not held nor has it been commissioned. Information published by the Office for National Statistics suggests zero-hours contracts make up a relatively small part of the overall labour market, accounting for about 2% of all people in work.

Jobseekers claiming Jobseekers Allowance are not required to apply for zero-hours contract vacancies, they will not be sanctioned as a result of not applying. UC claimants who refuse to accept a zero hours contract job offer, without good reason, can be subject to a sanction. However a UC claimant will not be sanctioned for refusing to take a zero hours contract with an exclusivity clause.

Universal Credit automatically adjusts benefit payments depending on the number of hours a person works – whatever the type of contract. Where Universal Credit claimants refuse to apply for role, including a Zero Hours Contract role when mandated to do so or refuse to accept a job offer, they can be sanctioned. People on Universal Credit will not be required to sign up to zero hours contracts which require exclusivity, so they will always have the opportunity to gain more hours elsewhere.