Paul Rowen (Rochdale, Liberal Democrat) | Hansard source

To ask the 

Secretary of State

 for Work and Pensions whether he plans to use the broad definition of work-related activity contained in the Gregg review in regulations to be made under the Welfare Reform Bill if enacted.

Tony McNulty

 (Minister of State (Employment and Welfare Reform; Minister for London), Department for Work and Pensions; Harrow East, Labour) | 

Hansard source

We are not planning to define the term 'work-related activity' in regulations under the Welfare Reform Bill. We are keen to ensure that the term work-related activity can be interpreted flexibly so it can be tailored to an individual's needs. This will allow the customer in conjunction with their personal adviser to agree activities that are tailored to their individual circumstances and will best help them move closer to work. As Professor Gregg suggested, work related activity could include training, skills and job-related support as well as wider measures such as volunteering, undertaking parenting programmes or visiting a debt adviser.

We will be using this wide concept of work-related activity as a basis for producing guidance for personal advisers to help them decide which activities will best assist their customers to move closer to the labour market. We will continue to involve stakeholders in the design of the Progression to Work Pathfinders.