§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Paymaster General (1) what is his estimate of the numbers who will be asked to complete form UB671 at York A and York B unemployment benefit offices;
(2) when he expects to introduce UB671 availability for work testing in York A and York B offices;
(3) what arrangements he proposes for independent advice for those filling in UB671; and if, without loss of benefit, claimants may fill in the form outside the unemployment benefit office.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe improved procedures for applying the long-established legal rules on entitlement to benefit were introduced in York A and B unemployment benefit offices on 24 November 1986. All new claimants will be required to complete form UB671, but I cannot forecast how many this will be in a given period.
It is not our normal practice to suggest to claimants that they seek independent advice about their entitlement to benefit, and I have no plans to change this policy. Claim forms are normally completed at the benefit office, but 583W claimants may take form UB671 away with them. There is no loss of benefit provided the form is returned within three days and the answers to the questions demonstrate that the claimant is available for work.
The form is clear and straightforward, and I find it difficult to see why independent advice should be needed in the usual case to answer the simple questions. Any advice should stress that the answers should be truthful and give an accurate description of the claimant's circumstances. I disapprove of some published advice purporting to give standard answers to ensure the receipt of benefit. The social security system has always required people to demonstrate their entitlement to benefit and unemployed claimants must show that they are genuinely available for work.