| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Child Support Agency
Mr. David Nicholson: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the estimated total of absent parents who in 1992 paid no maintenance for their children; how many such parents have been traced by the Child Support Agency; and what assessment he has made of the agency's record in contacting new absent parents since 1992. [2447]
Mr. Andrew Mitchell: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.
Research published in the White Paper "Children Come First" in 1990 showed that, in 1989, around 33 per cent. of lone parents received regular child maintenance.
Since 1992, the number of absent parents who have been traced by the Child Support Agency has increased as follows: 28,240 (1993-94), 49,632 (1994-95), 55,025 (1995-96) and 29,001 in the first six months of 1996-97, showing that the agency has been making steady progress in finding absent parents whose address was unknown to the parent with care. It is not known how many of these were new absent parents.
Mr. Geoffrey Robinson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current backlog of maintenance work in his Department's offices. [2799]
Mr. Burt:
The Department has a programme of maintenance works which is tailored to meet the needs of its estate and this is carried out within the resources made available to it. The programme for the current year has outstanding only those projects earmarked for completion before the end of the financial year.
Mr. Alan Howarth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the cost of the back to work bonus during a full year; and how many people he estimates will gain. [2783]
Mr. Roger Evans:
We anticipate that the first full year in which the back to work bonus will operate in a steady state will be 1998-99. Our latest estimate of the gross cost of the scheme in 1998-99 is £65 million. We estimate that at least 150,000 people will receive a bonus payment each year.
Notes:
1. Estimates are based on 2.1 million unemployed.
2. The cost shown is the gross cost of the scheme. Once behavioural effects are taken into account, we expect that the scheme will be broadly cost neutral. However, the behavioural effects are very difficult to assess accurately.
Benefits Agency Medical Services
Mr. Alan Howath: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the timetable for the negotiations and issue of contracts for the contractorisation of the Benefits Agency medical services. [2774]
Mr. Burt: The tendering process began in 1996 with the publication of an advertisement. Responses were evaluated and five companies selected to enter into negotiations with the Department for the provision of the
11 Nov 1996 : Column: 88
services. A statement of service requirements--document containing details of the scope of work to be contracted out--will be issued to the shortlisted companies on 20 November. The companies will have time to clarify their understanding of the business and they will then be requested to put forward their proposals.
It is anticipated that contracts will be let by April 1997.
Mr. Howarth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how he plans to safeguard confidential information in contracts for the delivery and administration of social security benefits and medical assessments. [2778]
Mr. Burt:
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 24 July, Official Report, column 586.
Mr. Howarth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions have taken place with NHS hospital trusts concerning the contractorisation of the Benefits Agency medical services; what agreements have been reached concerning the fees which the trusts may charge private sector companies for the release of claimants' medical records; and how the additional cost will be financed. [2776]
Mr. Burt:
We are currently discussing this issue with the NHS executive. Whatever the outcome, it is imperative that provision of these services will not lead to an increase in the expenditure of public funds.
Mr. Howarth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many contracts he intends to issue for the contractorisation of the Benefits Agency medical services; and which companies have been shortlisted for consideration. [2775]
Mr. Burt:
The undertaking has been divided into three contract packages based on geographical areas; however the contracts may be awarded to fewer than three contractors.
Five companies have been chosen to enter into negotiations with the Department for the provision of a medical service. Those companies are Andersens, BMI, Capita, EDS Ltd. and Sema.
Mr. Howarth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has made for the financing of the costs of claimants' travel expenses to medical centres following the contractorisation of the Benefits Agency medical services. [2779]
Mr. Burt:
No changes to the policy on reimbursement of travel expenses are planned. The responsibility for paying the expenses will however transfer to the successful contractors(s) following contract award.
Mr. Howarth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which organisations he has consulted on the contractorisation of the Benefits Agency medical services. [2773]
Mr. Burt:
As part of the process to determine the feasibility of contracting out Benefits Agency medical services, market research was undertaken with a wide range of organisations which included medical, IT and managed services companies.
11 Nov 1996 : Column: 89
Mr. Howarth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what performance targets he plans to include in contracts with private sector companies taking over the functions of the Benefits Agency medical services. [2777]
Mr. Burt:
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 16 July 1996, Official Report, column 509. Targets and performance indicators will be matters for discussion and negotiation prior to contract(s) being awarded.
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures (a) are in place and (b) are being introduced to protect staff from attack by Benefits Agency clients. [2767]
Mr. Roger Evans:
This is an operational matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 7 November 1996:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what measures (a) are in place and (b) are being introduced to protect staff from attack by Benefit Agency clients.
Mr. Alfred Morris:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the level
11 Nov 1996 : Column: 90
of the (a) invalidity pension in December 1978 and (b) current level of incapacity benefit as a percentage of average earnings. [1415]
My answer to your question concentrates on the delivery of Benefit services by BA staff, in Employment Service Jobcentres following the recent introduction of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). Virtually all Benefits Agency offices have floor to ceiling screened protection and there are no plans to remove screens in Benefits Agency offices.
The Benefits Agency and Employment Service have worked together to identify the risks to health and safety arising out of the introduction of JSA. We have taken the necessary practical steps to minimise risks, consistent with the need to ensure the effective delivery of services provided from Jobcentres. It was agreed that the Employment Service should initiate a nationwide programme of health and safety risk assessments at each of their Jobcentres to identify the appropriate measures required for that particular site.
A full risk assessment audit has been conducted throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Comprehensive assessments have been carried out in all 1,100 Jobcentres, and the resultant risk reduction measures are intended to minimise the risks to staff while supporting the operational necessity for JSA to be administered in an open-plan environment. Examples of additional measures which have been introduced into Jobcentres following the Risk Assessments are panic alarms, closed circuit television and extra security guards. Local risk assessors are free to recommend any counter measures they feel appropriate. Where the Risk Assessment recommends delivery of an element of a benefit process from a screened environment, this aspect of service would be delivered from screened BA premises.
The assessment process is ongoing. A generic review was completed some weeks ago and a full review is planned when the new benefit is more established.
I hope my reply has helped to explain the position and you find it helpful.
| Percentage of average earnings | |
|---|---|
| Basic rate invalidity pension December 1978 | (27)23.2 |
| Basic long term rate incapacity benefit August 1996 | (28)17.4 |
Notes:
(27) Based on average earnings for men aged 21 or over and women aged 18 or over in full time employment.
(28) Based on average earnings figures for all full time employees.
Source:
New earnings survey, Office of National Statistics.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |