Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his policy is on jobseeker's allowance claimants undertaking a mandatory work activity or community work placement taking paternity leave.

DWP delivers a number of programmes which provide work experience placements, such as Mandatory Work Activity, the Work Programme or Help to Work Community Work Placements. All of the department’s employment programmes are supportive initiatives, designed to help unemployed claimants gain skills and help them into work.

Paternity leave is an entitlement that is available to people who are in paid employment. Therefore, it is not possible to claim paternity leave if you are claiming Jobseekers Allowance and are on a Mandatory Work Activity or Community Work Placement.