In 1996 the UK made major changes to its welfare system for the support of the unemployed with the introduction of the Jobseeker?s Allowance. This tightened the work search requirements needed for eligibility for benefit. It resulted in large flows out of claimant status, but, this paper concludes, not into employment. The movement out of claimant status was largest for those with low levels of search activity. But, this paper finds no evidence of increased job search activity as a result of this change.

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July 2005     Paper Number CEPDP0697

Download PDF - You Can't Always Get What You Want: the Impact of the Jobseeker's Allowance

This CEP discussion paper is published under the centre's Labour programme.