Local Exchange Trading Schemes And Social Inclusion

EDM number 783 in 1999-00, proposed by Linda Gilroy on 24/05/2000.

That this House notes the conclusions of the report of the Policy Action Team on Jobs that local exchange trading schemes could offer the opportunity to acquire valuable work experience and demonstrate a work ethic to potential employers in the open labour market, but that despite these potentially positive outcomes, existing benefit rules create barriers to participation; welcomes the report's recommendation that benefit entitlements should not in future be affected by participation in a LETS; and calls upon the Government to follow the report's recommendations to make the appropriate changes to benefit rules with a view to ensuring that LETS are able to play their full part in promoting social inclusion.

This motion has been signed by a total of 65 MPs.