Forms for everday services and state benefits are too long and overly complex, parliament's spending watchdog said today.

The National Audit Office (NAO) also warned that the advice given to those filling in forms was often difficult to understand.

The watchdog said that guidance notes and information leaflets could be dramatically shortened.

The inquiry also pointed to the high costs of processing many forms.

At present, each application for photocard licenses costs £8 to process, while the Department for Work and Pensions spends £40 processing each form for attendence allowance.

The longest forms were those relating to services involving welfare and education.

"Many citizens deal solely or chiefly with government by filling in paper forms," said head of the NAO, Sir John Bourn.

"Departments need to think more about the design and use of the form from the point of view of the user with the aim of making it easier for all citizens to deal with government.

"They should review their practices and in the light of our recommendations and the practical guide on designing and reviewing forms to be seperately published before the year end.

"This will not only make it easier to deal with government but will also save a considerable amount of taxpayers' money."

In conclusion the NAO found that most forms are too complicated for most members of the public to understand.

"Too many government forms are structured like a baffling labyrinth and seem longer than the average novel," added Edward Leigh, chairman of the Commons public accounts committee.