§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now abolish the availability for work tests being implemented in 12 pilot areas throughout Great Britain; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaddingtonAvailability for work is one of the basic conditions for the receipt of unemployment benefit. The task of establishing whether the availability condition is satisfied is being transferred from jobcentres to unemployment benefit offices because, from October this year, registration for work at a jobcentre will be voluntary. A pilot scheme to try out the necessary procedures comprising the availability test was run in 20 unemployment benefit offices. The pilot scheme lasted for three months and ended on 8 April 1982.