§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Paymaster General (1) what cost savings are predicted as a result of the introduction of form UB671A, the availability for work test;
(2) what percentage of the people on the unemployment register he estimates will be adversely affected by the use of form UB671A, the availability for work test.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeIt is not possible to forecast what savings will accrue from the national introduction of the new form which I announced on 28 October. We have not introduced any new rules for entitlement to benefit but have merely changed our procedures to ensure the application of the long-standing legal rules following the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee. No one entitled to benefit will be adversely affected by the use of the new form at all.