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20 Jul 2004 : Column 146W—continued
Benefits (Electronic Claims Facility)
Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the benefits that can be claimed using an electronic claims facility. [185057]
Mr. Pond: At present, only Carers Allowance can be claimed using an electronic claims facility; however, we are working to extend this provision to other benefits as soon as it is practical to do so. In addition, electronic claim forms are available on the internet for many of our benefits; these can be completed before being printed off, signed and forwarded to the appropriate office.
Child Support Agency
Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many prosecutions resulting from the criminal offence of non-co-operation with the Child Support Agency there have been since January 2001. [184670]
Mr. Pond:
The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
20 Jul 2004 : Column 147W
Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Webb dated 20 July 2004:
In reply to your recent parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many prosecutions resulting from the criminal offence of non-co-operations with the Child Support Agency there have been since January 2001. As at 30 June 2004, 319 people have been prosecuted under the Child Support Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 for failing to provide information to the Child Support Agency. Of these, 317 have been found guilty.
Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much the Child Support Agency has been owed in outstanding maintenance payments in each of the last seven years. [184671]
Mr. Pond: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Webb, dated 20 July 2004:
In reply to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much the CSA has been owed in outstanding maintenance payments in each of the last 7 years.
The annual accounts of the Agency indicate that the recoverable balance outstanding on full maintenance assessments, as at 31 March each year, is as follows:
| £million | |
|---|---|
| 31 March 1998 | 412 |
| 31 March 1999 | 512 |
| 31 March 2000 | 521 |
| 31 March 2001 | 528 |
| 31 March 2002 | 509 |
| 31 March 2003 | 664 |
The accounts to 31 March 2004 will be published shortly.
Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many non-resident parents have had their driving licences removed by the courts since April 2001 as a result of the provisions introduced under the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000. [184673]
Mr. Pond: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Webb, dated 20 July 2004:
In reply to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many non-resident parents have had their driving licences removed by the courts since April 2001 as a result of the provisions introduced under the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000.
Disqualification from driving (and committal to prison) is only considered after all other enforcement options have been attempted or discounted. Since the power to withdraw driving licences was brought into effect on 2 April 2001 20 licences have been suspended and 2 licences have been removed.
Departmental Staff
Mr. Dorrell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many full-time equivalent employees of his Department there were in the East Midlands in each year since 1997. [185495]
Maria Eagle: Information on staff numbers by Government Office Region was not collected prior to September 2001. Information at that date and each year thereafter is in the table.
| Staff numbers | |
|---|---|
| 30 September 2001 | 5,730 |
| 30 September 2002 | 6,126 |
| 30 September 2003 | 6,245 |
Notes:
1. Numbers are Whole Time Equivalent (rounded to the nearest whole number).
2. Numbers are consistent with Cabinet Office definitions other than the inclusion of staff on paid maternity leave.
3. Numbers are point in time at the dates shown.
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what co-ordination is taking place across agencies and sections of his Department to minimise the loss of experienced staff in offices subject to plans for closure. [185148]
Maria Eagle: Following the Budget and Spending Review announcements detailed business and staffing plans are currently being developed across the Department in order to manage the reduction of 30,000 posts by March 2008.
This planning activity is being undertaken through co-ordinated activity across all agencies and sections of the Department. In taking the programme of change forward staff deployment will be managed to ensure the Department retains and utilises the skills and experience of staff in each of its businesses.
Havering (Employment)
Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to help those seeking employment in Havering. [184254]
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. Rosindell dated 20 July 2004:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply direct to your question about the help available to those seeking employment in Havering. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
There are two Jobcentre Plus offices delivering services to the people of Havering.
1. Romford Jobcentre Plus, 30 Main Road, Romford. Opened on 7 June 2004.
2. Hornchurch Jobcentre Plus, North Street, Hornchurch. Opened on 24 March 2004.
Both offices provide a range of services to customers seeking employment, including:
access to a personal adviser to assist finding suitable employment;
access to touch screen Jobpoints or the internet;
entry to the New Deal programme;
work trials, for customers to show employers what they can do or to try out a job.
Depending on personal circumstances there is other help available to help customers find employment. For example, lone parents may be able to get help with childcare costs. People with disabilities can get help from specialist Disability Employment Advisers or join New Deal for Disabled People. A range of training programmes is also available to provide extra support and help in getting, and keeping, a job. Further details on the services available are contained in leaflet PFL 2, available in Jobcentre Plus offices, or by visiting www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk.
Although these services are common to Jobcentre Plus offices, there are a range of local initiatives, specific to Havering, to help local people into work.
The Oldchurch Recruitment Centre, for example, opened in May 2004 and initially targeted the construction workers for the first phase of the development of the new Oldchurch Hospital. This positive partnership working with local employers has resulted in over 30 customers gaining employment at the site. To expand this scheme we are developing working agreements with the local Health trusts and have begun to match Jobcentre Plus customers with vacancies as they arise in local Hospitals.
Another initiative is with the new Asda supermarket, due to open in Romford in the autumn of 2005. Work is to begin on clearing the site in the autumn 2004 and we are in discussion to use our services to recruit people for the demolition and construction phases of the new store. Furthermore, we aim to undertake the entire recruitment of staff for this new supermarket.
We have also planned a number of events for the summer to specifically address the employment needs of customers in Havering. In partnership with the London Borough of Havering, Jobcentre Plus will be running a stand at the Havering Town Show on 29 and 30 August. This will promote the services of Jobcentre Plus and assist customers in finding employment. Furthermore there will be a seasonal vacancy promotion in the Romford area on 21 and 22 September 2004 designed to match customers to upcoming Christmas vacancies.
The District Manager for North East London, has written to all local MPs offering to meet on a regular basis to discuss developments in the District.
I hope this is helpful.
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