Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average amount of time spent looking for a job was each week by individuals claiming (a) universal credit and (b) job seekers allowance in each of the last five years.

The requested information is not held by the Department.

All work-related requirements are agreed in discussion with claimants. They are tailored to their individual personal circumstances and capacity, and recorded in their claimant commitment. This includes an agreement of the total time they have available and can be expected to be engaged in suitable work related activities including work search activities where appropriate.