| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
18 May 2004 : Column 876W—continued
Civil Service (Disabled People)
25. Mrs. Humble: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what action is being taken to ensure that people with disabilities are represented throughout the civil service. [173518]
Mr. Woolas: The Government remain committed to increased representation of disabled people in the civil service. Current figures show that 4.3 per cent. of civil servants have declared a disability, including 1.7 per cent. of those at senior civil service level. We have set a target of 3.0 per cent. for disabled staff at senior civil service level by April 2005.
Action to increase representation of disabled people includes a bursary scheme for disabled staff with high potential and a summer placement scheme to encourage disabled applicants to the graduate fast stream.
18 May 2004 : Column 877W
Ombudsmen
26. Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has to co-ordinate the activities of the Ombudsmen to ensure that they act in a consistent manner. [173519]
Mr. Woolas: The Government's response to the Public Administration Select Committee's Third Report of Session 2002–03 on Ombudsman issues made clear that we are working closely with the parliamentary Ombudsman and others in the Ombudsmen community to promote joint working and ensure that Ombudsmen arrangements are fit for purpose.
Better Regulation Taskforce
Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he next expects to meet the Better Regulation Taskforce to discuss its plans for 2004–05. [173520]
Mr. Alexander: I have regular meetings with the Chairman of the Better Regulation Task Force to discuss all aspects of the better regulation agenda.
The Task Force are currently scoping ideas for their work programme for 2004–05 and they have not taken any decisions as yet. However, they are, as always, open to ideas.
PRIME MINISTER
Ministerial Code
Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister whether section 6 of the Ministerial Code permits individuals other than special advisers to use Government property to undertake manifesto preparation work for New Labour. [174083]
The Prime Minister: The use of Government property is undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Code and the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.
Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions in each year since 1 May 1997 spouses or partners of Ministers travelled (a) within the United Kingdom and (b) overseas at public expense under the provisions of section 87 of the Ministerial Code; and what the total cost of such expenses was in each year. [174084]
The Prime Minister: The information requested is not held centrally. The cost of spouses or partners accompanying Ministers on overseas visits is included in the overall cost of Minister's visits overseas which is published on an annual basis. The cost of visits from 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004 is currently being collated and will be published in the normal way before the summer recess. Copies for previous years are available in the Library of the House.
Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister whether the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs sought his approval for her recent absences overseas in accordance with section 7, paragraph 73 of the Ministerial Code; and if he will make a statement. [174085]
18 May 2004 : Column 878W
The Prime Minister: Ministerial travel complies with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers.
Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister how he plans to apply section 90 of the Ministerial Code of Conduct to the recent offer by the US authorities of a decoration. [174086]
The Prime Minister: As I made clear to the hon. Member on 10 July 2003, Official Report, columns 933–34W, the Ministerial Code is a code of conduct and guidance on procedures for Ministers. Any offer of a decoration from a foreign state is considered in light of this guidance.
WORK AND PENSIONS
Bereavement Allowance
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department plans to lower the age at which the bereavement allowance is paid to widows. [172002]
Mr. Pond: Bereavement benefits were introduced on 9 April 2001, and for the first time extended support to both widows and widowers following the death of a spouse. These new benefits concentrate the help available where it is most needed; on immediate needs and on families with children.
The bereavement payment is a lump sum payment of £2,000 payable immediately to help with costs arising on bereavement. Widowed parent's allowance is a weekly benefit payable to widowed parents who satisfy the qualifying conditions. In addition bereavement allowance is a weekly benefit payable, for 52 weeks following widowhood, to widows and widowers aged 45 and over without dependant children.
We have no plans to change these arrangements.
Jobcentre Plus
Mr. Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects the new Jobcentre Plus office in Burnley to open; and if he will make a statement. [174041]
Jane Kennedy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from David Anderson to Mr. Peter Pike, dated 18 May 2004:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning when the new Jobcentre Plus office in Burnley will open. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Jobcentre Plus has been established to deliver a radical change in the way that benefits and employment services are provided to people of working age. By 2006, we plan to introduce a network of around 1,000 fully integrated Jobcentre Plus offices.
Through the development of these new modern offices, Jobcentre Plus will provide an integrated, work-focused service to all people of working age. The introduction of work-focused interviews is extending the opportunity to more people to take advantage of the help, guidance and support we can provide to assist them to move into sustainable employment. We are also
- introducing new services for employers, which will help them fill vacancies more quickly with well-prepared and motivated employees.
I am pleased to tell you that the Jobcentre Plus Investment Board met on 12 May and funding has been secured for the new Jobcentre Plus office in Burnley. Subject to planning permission for the new office and intrusive site survey results being satisfactory, we expect to proceed with a new building on the Town Hall car park site and have completion by Spring 2006, assuming there are no unforeseen technical problems. This office will deliver all the Jobcentre Plus face to face services and we will retain the Social Security office at Brun House as a Benefit Processing Centre.
I have asked the Jobcentre Plus District Manager for East Lancashire to keep you informed of developments.
I hope this is helpful.
Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reason 960 business square metres is sought for a new Shanklin Jobcentre Plus office; and what the area is in business square metres of Ryde and Newport Jobcentre Plus office. [174341]
Jane Kennedy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from David Anderson to Mr. Andrew Turner, dated 18 May 2004:
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to reply direct to your question concerning the business square metres sought for the new Jobcentre Plus office in Shanklin and the number of business square metres of the Jobcentre Plus offices in Ryde and Newport. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
To maximise the possibility of maintaining an office in Shanklin two options were examined. An initial search was made for 960 square metres of business space to accommodate other business together with a Jobcentre Plus outlet. This was subsequently reviewed and 450 square metres sought for an outlet only.
Ryde Jobcentre Plus outlet is 351 business square metres. Newport Jobcentre Plus outlet is co located with other parts of our business on a large site. The area used for the Jobcentre Plus is approximately 850 business square metres.
I hope this is helpful.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |