§ Mr. Alan HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the present policy of the Contributions Agency towards the allocation of national insurance numbers to people seeking work.
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§ Mr. HagueThe Department's long-standing policy has been to allocate national insurance numbers, in accordance with regulation 44 of the Contributions Regulations 1979, to applicants who may be liable to pay NI contributions. This includes the employed, the self-employed, those who wish to pay voluntary contributions and those approaching the age of 16. The Department also uses the NI number as an administrative identifier within the social security benefit system and allocate NI numbers to people who claim certain benefits and who do not already have a number.
The Department has recently been reviewing the policy and procedures for allocating NI numbers to those who are seeking work. As a result, the Contributions Agency will shortly be issuing new guidance to its local offices. This will specify that they can accept applications from people who can demonstrate satisfactorily that they are seeking employment. If, however, the applicant cannot demonstrate satisfactorily why he needs a NI number, the Department may consider refusing the application. The Department's refusal to allocate a number in such cases does not prevent the applicant re-applying when it is appropriate to do so. Nor does it prevent anyone taking up employment before he receives a NI number.