§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Paymaster General (1) what procedures are adopted at unemployment benefit offices to ascertain whether claimants are available for work; whether he is satisfied with these procedures; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of these procedures compared with a system of compulsory registration at an employment office;
(2) how the work test operates; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkUnemployed people making a claim for benefit have their availability tested for work by a direct question on the unemployment benefit claim form, and subsequently at regular signing intervals and whenever doubt arises about their availability for work.
The initial availability test requires all claimants to declare whether or not they are willing to take any full-time job which they can do. A negative reply causes the unemployment benefit office to make further detailed inquiries about the nature and conditions of the work 89W which an individual claimant is prepared to accept. Any doubts about the individuals' availability are then referred to the independent adjudicating authorities. In 1984, the last full year for which fugures are available, over 49,000 claims were disallowed on these grounds.
I am not fully satisfied with this availability test and its adequacy is currently being reviewed. I have recently set in hand arrangements to improve links between unemployment benefit offices and jobcentres and, following discussion with colleagues, the role played by the DHSS unemployment review officers is being strengthened.
I draw the attention of my hon. Friend to my reply to him on 28 October at columns 334–35.
§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Paymaster General how many persons who were unemployed had their benefits terminated because of refusal to accept employment in 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe answer is not available in the precise terms asked. The number of people who were disqualified from receiving unemployment benefit for refusing without good cause to apply for or accept suitable employment in the years 1979 to 1984 was:
Number 1979 6,812 1980 8,227 1981 4,194 1982 2,248 1983 1,450 1984 *1,972 * Estimated.