House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 25 Feb 2002 (pt 23)

Departmental Secondments

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff in his Department have been seconded to jobs in the (a) private and (b) public sector in each of the last four years. [31773]

Dr. John Reid: The number of staff who have been seconded to the private and public sector in the last four years is as follows:

Year Private sector Public sector Total

1997–98 1 46 47

1998–99 2 5 7

1999–2000 5 6 11

2000–01 3 4 7

Year	Private sector	Public sector	Total
1997–98	1	46	47
1998–99	2	5	7
1999–2000	5	6	11
2000–01	3	4	7

Lisnevin Juvenile Justice Centre

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements have been made to

25 Feb 2002 : Column 770W

ensure the closure of Lisnevin juvenile justice centre by autumn 2002; and what subsequent use will be made of the building. [34847]

Mr. Browne: The project is being advanced in two phases. Phase 1, an interim measure until the purpose- built centre is constructed and successfully commissioned, involves upgrading security and refurbishing the accommodation on the existing Rathgael site and transferring the boys currently in Lisnevin. Phase 2 will be the provision of the purpose-built juvenile justice centre. Phase 1 is currently under way and a building contractor has been appointed to complete the work by early autumn 2002. In tandem with the building work, the Juvenile Justice Board is addressing the operational and staffing issues associated with the development of a single centre. It is anticipated that the interim centre will be commissioned before the end of 2002. At that time, children will transfer from Lisnevin. Discussions are on-going at present between Criminal Justice Division, NIO and the Northern Ireland Prison Service addressing the short and medium term use of Lisnevin. At present, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has no long term plans for the building.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Winning the Generation Game

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will set out for each of the conclusions in section 6.4 of the Performance and Innovation Unit report, 'Winning the Generation Game', (a) what progress his Department has made and (b) what future plans his Department has for acting on them; and if he will set out against each of the conclusions the targets and deadlines that have been set. [24208]

Mr. McCartney [holding answer 19 December 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Barbara Roche) on 19 December 2001, Official Report, column 335W.

Departmental Helplines

Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many calls have been received by each telephone helpline administered by his Department in each month since May 2000. [27764]

Mr. Nicholas Brown: The information on the number of calls answered by each current helpline is set out in the tables.

Telephone helplines—2000 (May to December)

May June July August September October November December

Benefits Agency Chief Executive's helpline 0 0 0 0 182 287 329 292

Employment Service Direct 208,291 255,045 242,992 213,441 273,842 228,299 223,030 161,457

CSA National Enquiry Line and Client Helpline (NEL) 73,583 95,232 77,755 79,269 92,333 69,653 67,395 47,936

National Benefit Fraud Hotline 21,674 18,212 17,440 20,289 15,851 13,980 15,243 9,073

Disability Allowance Customer Care helpline 363,113 359,069 352,325 336,994 347,049 362,133 359,659 258,494

Retirement Pensions Teleclaim Line 0 0 2,611 5,888 10,239 14,736 22,120 18,194

Pensions Direct 79,142 74,873 69,703 70,798 69,885 76,988 100,998 81,511

Customer Liaison Team⁽³⁵⁾ 7,955 9,436 11,208 9,253 10,283 12,754 10,561 8,964

Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) Claimline 0 0 0 65,269 49,162 44,864 78,170 24,347

Retirement Pension Forecasting and Advice (RPFA) 29,206 27,351 25,841 27,018 30,104 26,818 28,298 15,989

Public Enquiry Office 6,124 5,107 6,552 5,954 5,427 6,699 5,758 3,368

Employer Direct 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Medical Benefit 3,578 4,238 4,304 4,373 3,954 3,805 3,332 2,090

New Deal for Lone Parents 2,158 2,022 2,370 1,736 2,106 2,334 1,671 1,222

BA Publicity Register 1,235 4,753 1,352 2,130 1,050 875 1,187 423

Inherited SERPS Enquiry Line 1,708 1,279 777 3,008 2,223 2,807 3,218 911

Winter Fuel Payment Orderline (WFP) 0 0 0 826 2,264 663 642 564

Pensioner Guide Orderline 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Winter fuel payment Helpline 78,960 109,812 83,136 100,125 84,255 84,429 157,594 122,653

Pensions Information line 4,414 3,198 3,279 3,560 3,712 5,121 4,682 4,636

Child Benefit Enquiry line 164,238 187,530 191,635 195,484 189,830 186,836 180,218 135,993

Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL) 93,584 115,008 92,595 105,683 95,307 91,634 117,619 60,888

Client Help Line (CHL) 273,969 314,703 252,824 253,399 323,135 247,701 240,207 242,189

	May	June	July	August	September	October	November	December
Benefits Agency Chief Executive's helpline	0	0	0	0	182	287	329	292
Employment Service Direct	208,291	255,045	242,992	213,441	273,842	228,299	223,030	161,457
CSA National Enquiry Line and Client Helpline (NEL)	73,583	95,232	77,755	79,269	92,333	69,653	67,395	47,936
National Benefit Fraud Hotline	21,674	18,212	17,440	20,289	15,851	13,980	15,243	9,073
Disability Allowance Customer Care helpline	363,113	359,069	352,325	336,994	347,049	362,133	359,659	258,494
Retirement Pensions Teleclaim Line	0	0	2,611	5,888	10,239	14,736	22,120	18,194
Pensions Direct	79,142	74,873	69,703	70,798	69,885	76,988	100,998	81,511
Customer Liaison Team⁽³⁵⁾	7,955	9,436	11,208	9,253	10,283	12,754	10,561	8,964
Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) Claimline	0	0	0	65,269	49,162	44,864	78,170	24,347
Retirement Pension Forecasting and Advice (RPFA)	29,206	27,351	25,841	27,018	30,104	26,818	28,298	15,989
Public Enquiry Office	6,124	5,107	6,552	5,954	5,427	6,699	5,758	3,368
Employer Direct	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Medical Benefit	3,578	4,238	4,304	4,373	3,954	3,805	3,332	2,090
New Deal for Lone Parents	2,158	2,022	2,370	1,736	2,106	2,334	1,671	1,222
BA Publicity Register	1,235	4,753	1,352	2,130	1,050	875	1,187	423
Inherited SERPS Enquiry Line	1,708	1,279	777	3,008	2,223	2,807	3,218	911
Winter Fuel Payment Orderline (WFP)	0	0	0	826	2,264	663	642	564
Pensioner Guide Orderline	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Winter fuel payment Helpline	78,960	109,812	83,136	100,125	84,255	84,429	157,594	122,653
Pensions Information line	4,414	3,198	3,279	3,560	3,712	5,121	4,682	4,636
Child Benefit Enquiry line	164,238	187,530	191,635	195,484	189,830	186,836	180,218	135,993
Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL)	93,584	115,008	92,595	105,683	95,307	91,634	117,619	60,888
Client Help Line (CHL)	273,969	314,703	252,824	253,399	323,135	247,701	240,207	242,189

⁽³⁵⁾ Formerly Overseas Customer Service helpline

25 Feb 2002 : Column 771W

Telephone helplines—2001 (January to June)

January February March April May June

Benefits Agency Chief Executive's helpline 359 250 305 250 267 281

Employment Service Direct 268,050 274,128 340,913 260,997 264,149 360,616

CSA National Enquiry Line and Client Helpline (NEL) 53,379 51,641 63,187 42,394 43,279 54,482

National Benefit Fraud Hotline 17,340 18,191 27,580 17,261 18,461 14,086

Disability Allowance Customer Care helpline 369,324 333,297 361,665 312,256 335,885 331,229

Retirement Pensions Teleclaim Line 30,603 28,861 31,398 41,000 48,500 43,500

Pensions Direct 96,040 103,691 123,515 92,948 94,321 82,661

Customer Liaison Team⁽³⁶⁾ 14,238 10,333 10,516 8,855 9,842 12,054

Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) Claimline 15,290 13,202 52,814 25,061 13,843 10,723

Retirement Pension Forecasting and Advice (RPFA) 35,640 32,650 36,496 30,994 31,330 20,609

Public Enquiry Office 6,017 4,741 5,130 5,248 2,727 3,708

Employer Direct 0 0 0 18,183 59,907 108,707

Medical Benefit 3,378 2,678 3,188 2,343 3,213 3,628

New Deal for Lone Parents 2,160 2,284 12,167 6,831 2,565 2,348

BA Publicity Register 1,338 1,729 1,149 1,226 1,454 1,588

Inherited SERPS Enquiry Line 690 1,933 4,636 1,615 1,023 508

Winter Fuel Payment Orderline (WFP) 228 194 71 0 0 0

Pensioner Guide Orderline 0 771 6,470 1,496 1,832 1,186

Winter fuel payment Helpline 143,162 78,820 73,487 30,317 19,313 13,857

Pensions Information line 23,970 23,339 23,525 14,956 5,516 5,000

Child Benefit Enquiry line 224,406 190,057 201,576 169,933 184,934 204,969

Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL) 125,715 105,292 107,656 91,520 108,469 92,295

Client Help Line (CHL) 247,059 248,327 337,343 223,630 223,366 277,883

	January	February	March	April	May	June
Benefits Agency Chief Executive's helpline	359	250	305	250	267	281
Employment Service Direct	268,050	274,128	340,913	260,997	264,149	360,616
CSA National Enquiry Line and Client Helpline (NEL)	53,379	51,641	63,187	42,394	43,279	54,482
National Benefit Fraud Hotline	17,340	18,191	27,580	17,261	18,461	14,086
Disability Allowance Customer Care helpline	369,324	333,297	361,665	312,256	335,885	331,229
Retirement Pensions Teleclaim Line	30,603	28,861	31,398	41,000	48,500	43,500
Pensions Direct	96,040	103,691	123,515	92,948	94,321	82,661
Customer Liaison Team⁽³⁶⁾	14,238	10,333	10,516	8,855	9,842	12,054
Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) Claimline	15,290	13,202	52,814	25,061	13,843	10,723
Retirement Pension Forecasting and Advice (RPFA)	35,640	32,650	36,496	30,994	31,330	20,609
Public Enquiry Office	6,017	4,741	5,130	5,248	2,727	3,708
Employer Direct	0	0	0	18,183	59,907	108,707
Medical Benefit	3,378	2,678	3,188	2,343	3,213	3,628
New Deal for Lone Parents	2,160	2,284	12,167	6,831	2,565	2,348
BA Publicity Register	1,338	1,729	1,149	1,226	1,454	1,588
Inherited SERPS Enquiry Line	690	1,933	4,636	1,615	1,023	508
Winter Fuel Payment Orderline (WFP)	228	194	71	0	0	0
Pensioner Guide Orderline	0	771	6,470	1,496	1,832	1,186
Winter fuel payment Helpline	143,162	78,820	73,487	30,317	19,313	13,857
Pensions Information line	23,970	23,339	23,525	14,956	5,516	5,000
Child Benefit Enquiry line	224,406	190,057	201,576	169,933	184,934	204,969
Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL)	125,715	105,292	107,656	91,520	108,469	92,295
Client Help Line (CHL)	247,059	248,327	337,343	223,630	223,366	277,883

⁽³⁶⁾ Formerly Overseas Customer Service helpline

Telephone helplines—2001 (July to December)

July August September October November December

Benefits Agency Chief Executive's helpline 283 287 310 395 407 342

Employment Service Direct 326,002 388,892 322,932 338,596 422,070 197,595

CSA National Enquiry Line and Client Helpline (NEL) 44,664 52,883 45,728 44,722 56,039 28,776

National Benefit Fraud Hotline 13,360 14,503 25,001 21,363 19,535 9,738

Disability Allowance Customer Care helpline 333,211 305,652 294,536 335,118 329,134 238,877

Retirement Pensions Teleclaim Line 51,000 50,000 43,999 45,091 28,565 27,134

Pensions Direct 84,145 84,337 78,755 88,502 106,923 73,849

Customer Liaison Team⁽³⁷⁾ 15,145 11,597 16,361 13,512 13,958 11,169

Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) Claimline 7,906 7,509 7,638 10,003 16,583 8,572

Retirement Pension Forecasting and Advice (RPFA) 30,378 30,923 27,323 32,946 29,366 15,448

Public Enquiry Office 5,250 5,389 5,246 6,191 4,598 4,321

Employer Direct 100,691 135,768 125,684 116,182 144,363 66,428

Medical Benefit 3,888 4,225 3,988 4,365 3,741 2,457

New Deal for Lone Parents 2,624 1,864 2,645 3,055 2,139 1,373

BA Publicity Register 1,171 1,278 1,093 857 1,647 692

Inherited SERPS Enquiry Line 432 10,980 10,044 3,166 3,385 1,861

Winter Fuel Payment Orderline (WFP) 0 0 1,675 1,024 595 185

Pensioner Guide Orderline 3,389 1,834 2,036 1,478 5,081 1,436

Winter fuel payment Helpline 24,929 33,849 30,046 37,340 162,673 92,974

Pensions Information line 8,061 9,684 13,420 7,410 4,543 3,010

Child Benefit Enquiry line 222,978 223,995 225,073 262,668 214,731 158,633

Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL) 86,139 91,250 90,612 116,650 92,632 61,519

Client Help Line (CHL) 216,045 244,198 223,648 221,737 285,016 182,787

	July	August	September	October	November	December
Benefits Agency Chief Executive's helpline	283	287	310	395	407	342
Employment Service Direct	326,002	388,892	322,932	338,596	422,070	197,595
CSA National Enquiry Line and Client Helpline (NEL)	44,664	52,883	45,728	44,722	56,039	28,776
National Benefit Fraud Hotline	13,360	14,503	25,001	21,363	19,535	9,738
Disability Allowance Customer Care helpline	333,211	305,652	294,536	335,118	329,134	238,877
Retirement Pensions Teleclaim Line	51,000	50,000	43,999	45,091	28,565	27,134
Pensions Direct	84,145	84,337	78,755	88,502	106,923	73,849
Customer Liaison Team⁽³⁷⁾	15,145	11,597	16,361	13,512	13,958	11,169
Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) Claimline	7,906	7,509	7,638	10,003	16,583	8,572
Retirement Pension Forecasting and Advice (RPFA)	30,378	30,923	27,323	32,946	29,366	15,448
Public Enquiry Office	5,250	5,389	5,246	6,191	4,598	4,321
Employer Direct	100,691	135,768	125,684	116,182	144,363	66,428
Medical Benefit	3,888	4,225	3,988	4,365	3,741	2,457
New Deal for Lone Parents	2,624	1,864	2,645	3,055	2,139	1,373
BA Publicity Register	1,171	1,278	1,093	857	1,647	692
Inherited SERPS Enquiry Line	432	10,980	10,044	3,166	3,385	1,861
Winter Fuel Payment Orderline (WFP)	0	0	1,675	1,024	595	185
Pensioner Guide Orderline	3,389	1,834	2,036	1,478	5,081	1,436
Winter fuel payment Helpline	24,929	33,849	30,046	37,340	162,673	92,974
Pensions Information line	8,061	9,684	13,420	7,410	4,543	3,010
Child Benefit Enquiry line	222,978	223,995	225,073	262,668	214,731	158,633
Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL)	86,139	91,250	90,612	116,650	92,632	61,519
Client Help Line (CHL)	216,045	244,198	223,648	221,737	285,016	182,787

⁽³⁷⁾ Formerly Overseas Customer Service helpline

25 Feb 2002 : Column 773W

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