thanks to mike shermer for sending us a copy of the JCP 'Evidence Requirement Toolkit'

'In order to avoid unnecessary footfall into the Jobcentre, all Jobcentre Plus staff involved in requesting evidence for New and Repeat claims and reported Change of Circumstances must ensure that all requests are absolutely necessary ....

Requests for certain types of evidence may result in customers calling into the Jobcentre. This is usually because the request is for something that is valuable to the customer.

Examples of these could be: Passport; birth certificates; bankbook; ID Cards for foreign nationals.

It is important, therefore, to consider if the information required is necessary and whether it is available from other sources such as departmental IT systems.'