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10 Jan 2005 : Column 113W—continued
Jobseeker's Allowance
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many hours per week were spent on average on job search activity by a jobseeker's allowance claimant in the last period for which figures are available. [206386]
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 David Willetts dated 10 January 2005:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the average amount of time spent on job search activities by people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Information about the average weekly time JSA claimants spend on job search activity is not available. However, people claiming JSA are required to actively seek work and undertake minimum levels of job search activity to maintain their entitlement to JSA. It may be helpful if I explain this, and how we monitor compliance, in a little more detail.
People claiming JSA are usually required to undertake a minimum of three steps each week to look for work. These steps, which will vary depending on individual customer circumstances and the work they are seeking, are discussed and agreed at the new jobseeker interview, recorded in the Jobseeker's Agreement, and reviewed regularly. The Jobseeker's Agreement outlines the customer's job goal, the times and days they are available for work and those steps that, if taken, will offer the best chance of leading to a job. Having a Jobseeker's Agreement, signed by the customer and Adviser, is a requirement of entitlement to JSA.
After the new jobseeker interview, people are usually required to attend the Jobcentre fortnightly and, if they remain unemployed, will be expected to attend more in-depth interviews with a Personal Adviser at key stages. These customer contacts provide a regular opportunity to ensure people are actively seeking work and to see what help, if any, is required. When someone does not appear to be actively seeking work or undertaking the required level of job search activity, payment of JSA is withheld and the case referred to an independent decision maker.
I am sorry the specific information you have requested is not available, but I hope this response is nonetheless helpful.
Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) quarterly and (b) annual jobseeker's allowance claimant figures for 18 to 24-year-olds on the Isle of Wight are for the last five-year period; and if he will make a statement on recent trends. [207342]
Jane Kennedy: The UK has one of the strongest labour markets in the world. Through economic stability combined with policies to tackle barriers to work we have achieved the highest employment and the lowest unemployment in any of the major industrialised countries.
The number of people in work is up by two million since 1997 and unemployment is at its lowest level for nearly 30 years. Long-term youth unemployment has been virtually eradicated.
The information requested is in the table.
Notes:
1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.
2. Figures are not seasonally adjusted.
3. Annual figures have been based on a four quarterly average of February, May, August and November of the relevant year.
Source:
100 per cent. count of unemployment-related benefits, Jobcentre Plus computer systems (computer held cases only).
New Deal for Lone Parents
Jon Cruddas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are participating in the New Deal for Lone Parents in the Dagenham constituency. [207163]
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Jane Kennedy: At the end of September 2004, 120 people were participating in the New Deal for Lone Parents in the Dagenham constituency.
1. Latest available figures. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
Civil Recovery Proceedings
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much has been spent on legal aid in relation to persons subject to civil recovery proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 since it came into force. [206768]
Mr. Lammy: To date, the Legal Services Commission has paid £131,223 in relation to persons subject to civil recovery proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what sums have been repaid to the Legal Services Commission from monies recovered by the Assets Recovery Agency under civil recovery proceedings to reimburse the costs to the Legal Services Commission of funding the representation of those subject to such proceedings. [206803]
Mr. Lammy: The Legal Services Commission has not received any money from the Assets Recovery Agency under civil recovery proceedings to reimburse the costs of funding the representation of those subject to such proceedings. This is because neither the Access to Justice Act 1999 nor the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 has a mechanism for the Assets Recovery Agency to refund costs to the Legal Services Commission out of property recovered.
Under the Serious and Organised Crime Bill, it is proposed that the system will change to allow costs to be provided out of the assets themselves, rather than through legal aid.
Courts/Tribunals
Mr. George Osborne: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many people are employed by (a) Her Majesty's Magistrates Court Service Inspectorate and (b) the Council of Tribunals; what the running cost of each body was in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the future of each body. [203806]
Mr. Lammy: Her Majesty's Magistrates Courts Service Inspectorate's (MCSI) current staffing level is 32 full-time members of staff and nine standby (employed on fixed-term contracts guaranteeing 20 days work per year). We are also in the process of recruiting four additional inspectors to take forward our expanded inspection remit from April 2005.
The running costs for 2003–04 were £1.87 million.
MCSI, which inspects the administration of magistrates courts and the Children and Family Consultation and Support Service (CAFCASS), will migrate to a new
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inspectorate (Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Court Administration (HMICA) (on 1 April 2005, as established by S58–61 of the Courts Act 2003. Its remit will be to:
"inspect and report to the Lord Chancellor on the system that supports the carrying on of the business of the courts listed in subsection (2) and the services provided for those courts; inspect and report to the Lord Chancellor on the performance of CAFCASS functions".
The Act expands the remit to inspect the administration of magistrates courts, into the Crown and county courts as well. In the first instance HMICA will focus inspection activity on quality of service.
The Council on Tribunals is an advisory non-departmental public body. At 31 March 2004 the Council on Tribunals employed 12 staff on a full-time equivalent basis. The Council also reimburses the salaries of three staff employed by the Scottish Executive at the Council's Scottish Committee office in Edinburgh. These three staff are not on DCA payroll.
The most recent published accounts for the Council are for the 2003–04 financial year in which the running costs were £1,056,406.
In July 2004 the White Paper "Transforming Public Services: Complaints, Redress and Tribunals" was published. The White Paper sets out how Government intends reforming the tribunal system. To compliment these reforms and the creation of a dedicated Tribunals Service, the Department for Constitutional Affairs intends to transform the existing Council on Tribunals into an Administrative Justice Council. In addition to taking over the existing role of the Council on Tribunals, the Administrative Justice Council will be charged with taking account of the broader landscape of administrative justice, reviewing performance, representing the views of users and ensuring that the relationships between courts, tribunals and ombudsmen are clear and complimentary.
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