HC Deb 01 July 1986 vol 100 cc480-1W
Mr. Prescott

asked the Paymaster General (1) what liaison exists or is planned under the restart programme between jobcentres and the unemployment benefit service's fraud managers and investigators;

(2) how many claimants interviewed under the restart programme have been referred to benefit authorities as a result of their interviews;

(3) what role is undertaken by the unemployment review officers in the restart programme; and what instructions are given to staff in jobcentres and unemployment benefit offices to report non-attendance by interviewees or refusal of an offer under the restart programme.

Mr. Lang

Counselling interviews under the restart programme are intended to provide positive help and encouragement for long-term unemployed people in trying to re-enter the job market: they are not designed to detect benefit fraud and there are no arrangements for direct liaison between restart counsellors and fraud investigators. However, all jobcentre staff (including those on restart) are under standing instructions that, where they suspect a person may be claiming benefit fraudulently, they should report the matter to the nearest unemployment benefit office. The case will then, if appropriate, be forwarded by benefit office staff to a fraud officer.

Jobcentre staff are instructed that if a person does not attend an interview under the restart programme they are to issue another invitation offering an appointment at a date and time which is within two weeks of the first appointment. If the second appointment is not kept, the fact is reported to the benefit authorities, usually the local DHSS office, which will withdraw supplementary allowance (if in payment) and notify the claimant of the decision and their right of appeal. The DHSS will then notify the relevant unemployment benefit office, which will suspend any unemployment benefit which may be in payment and seek an explanation from the claimant of his or her non-attendance. On the basis of this, a decision will be made either to allow the claim or seek a formal decision from an independent adjudication officer.

If a specific job opportunity is refused at the interview, jobcentre staff follow the normal instructions which apply in jobcentres. These are that staff are expected to report to the unemployment benefit service cases that come to their notice where jobseekers act in a way apparently intended to avoid deliberately the chance of a suitable job or training. Where the claimant is in receipt of unemployment benefit and/or National Insurance credits, the benefit office will suspend payment and ask the claimant to give his or her reasons for refusing employment before the case is referred to an adjudication officer. Where supplementary allowance is in payment, the Department of Health and Social Security will consider continued payment of benefit in the light of the adjudication officer's decision.

Out of 26,374 people who had been interviewed under the restart programme by 20 June, a total of 908 people had been referred to benefit authorities as a result of their interview or as a result of their response to the invitation to an interview.

Unemployment review officers in DHSS are continuing to help people who have not yet come into the scope of restart, for example by advising them on benefit in and out of work, and helping them to find opportunities for work or training. They will also help people who are asked to see them as a result of the restart interview, if it seems that this would be useful in their individual circumstances.