The person concerned applied for Unemployment Assistance and his means were assessed at £200 per week (£10,400 per annum) based on means derived from self-employment.
He appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office and the appeal was submitted for consideration by an Appeals Officer. The Appeals Officer disallowed the appeal on the grounds that, having regard to the person's previous earnings, the assessment represented a reasonable expectation of his likely earnings over the following 12 months. The Appeals Officer's decision is final and may only be altered in the light of new facts or evidence.
The means of the person concerned are being re-examined by the investigating officer. In the meantime it is open to him to apply to his local Community Welfare Officer for assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
I am aware of the difficulty to which the Deputy has referred and I have directed my Department to ensure that the method of assessment of means used for self-employed people should have the flexibility to respond to variations in the circumstances of claimants.