§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the criteria used by unemployment benefit offices to determine whether or not a person is "actively seeking work"; in applying the criteria, how much discretion is allowed to individual offices; and whether the criteria or the manner of their application vary with the local level of unemployment.
§ Mrs. ChalkerIt is a long-standing condition for the receipt of unempoyment benefit and supplementary benefit that an unemployed person must be capable of and available for work. Questions as to availability for work are determined by the independent statutory authorities on the basis of established case law. Local levels of unemployment are not relevant, because the test is not whether employment is available for the person but whether the person is available for employment. This is a question of fact which can only be determined in the light of the circumstances of each case. The claimant must make known to those concerned—normally jobcentres or employment agencies—that he is unemployed and willing to work so that jobs can be offered to him. If he does so, 409W and if he professes to be available for work and there is nothing in his statements or actions to prove the contrary, his availability will generally be accepted.
§ Mr. John Grantasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the cost to public funds in respect of benefits paid to unemployed people, on average per head and in aggregate, for the years 1978–79, 1979–80 and the estimated sums for the years 1980–81 and 1981–82, respectively; and if he will indicate how the figures are arrived at.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI ask the hon. Member to await the forthcoming public expenditure White Paper for the latest estimates of expenditure on unemployment and supplementary benefit to the unemployed in 1981–82. The figures for earlier years are as follows:
1978–79 £1,340 million—Average per head per week £22.40 1979–80 £1,420 million—Average per head per week £25.25 1980–81 £2,400 million—Average per head per week £29.50 The average payment has been derived by dividing the total expenditure by the average numbers in receipt of the benefit at any one time in the year allowing for the fact that some people will be in receipt of unemployment benefit and supplementary benefit at the same time.