In keeping with focus on activation, I emphasise to the House that these rates will apply only where the primary social welfare payment is an unemployment benefit. No other schemes are under the scope of these provisions. In addition, only primary payments are affected - rates for child and adult dependants, where payable, remain unchanged if a claimant is subject to a penalty rate. I am also introducing a new provision for full disallowance where an unemployed person has refused an offer of suitable employment. This provision is intended to strengthen the existing legislative provision under which full disallowance may be imposed if the recipient is not genuinely seeking work. This will not alter the position of the majority of jobseeker's allowance recipients.

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