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Income Statistics
Mr. Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of households in the UK had an income of (a) £22,009 or less, (b) £22,010 to £32,744 and (c) £32,745 or more in 2005-06. [83159]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The income information for 2005-06 is not available. Fully processed income data for 2005-06 will not be available until March 2007, following the publication of Households Below Average Income 2005/06.
IT Contracts
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) start date, (b) original planned completion date, (c) current expected completion date, (d) planned cost and (e) actual cost was of the upgrade from Windows 2000 to EP in his Department; and if he will make a statement. [88587]
Mrs. McGuire: The Department’s project to upgrade to Windows XP started in August 2004. Rollout commenced in June 2005 with an expected completion date of December 2005 at a planned cost of £12.673 million. The project completed in February 2006 with a final cost of £12.276 million.
Job Outcome Target
Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what monitoring he has undertaken of the Job Outcome Target; and if he will make a statement. [87540]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 25 July 2006:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what monitoring he has undertaken of the Job Outcome Target. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Following a pilot which ran from January 2005 to March 2006 in seven Jobcentre Plus Districts, the Job Outcome Target was introduced nationally in April 2006. Job Outcomes are measured by matching information on employment starts provided by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) with information held on Jobcentre Plus systems.
As part of the pilot we monitored performance and conducted research into the operation of the target. Two reports have been published and are in the Library ('Evaluation of the Job Outcome Target Pilots: quantitative study: Final Report’ Authors: Frankham et al. Ref No 316 and 'Evaluation of the Job Outcome Target Pilots: Findings from the Qualitative Study’ Authors: Johnson et al. Ref No 302). The national implementation incorporated findings from this research. Further research is underway to examine activity in the pilots one year after implementation and to incorporate best practise on a national basis. We expect findings from this research to be published after February 2007.
I hope this is helpful.
Jobcentre Plus
Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the costs were of services from private sector security companies at Jobcentre Plus in each year from 2001-02; and what the estimated costs are in 2006-07. [86566]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide my hon. Friend with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what the costs were of services from private sector security companies at Jobcentre Plus in each year from 2001-02; and what the estimated costs are in 2006-07. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Security services for Jobcentre Plus are included in the services provided by Land Securities Trillium through its facilities management contract with the Department for Work and Pensions and are not charged separately.
Learning for Adults Programme
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department’s planned spending is on the work-based learning for adults programme for (a) 2006-07 and (b) 2007-08; and if he will make a statement. [80158]
Mr. Jim Murphy: Planned spend on Work Based Learning for Adults (WBLA) is £23 million in 2006-07 and £14 million in 2007-08.
Funding for occupational training and basic skills courses provided outside the new deal programmes ended on 31 March 2006. For 2006-07, £9 million is being provided to cover training for customers who started WBLA courses prior to 31 March 2006, and £14 million is being provided for training allowances for jobseekers voluntarily taking up Learning and Skills Council (LSC) basic skills provision. In 2007-08, £14 million will again be provided for training allowances for customers voluntarily taking up LSC basic skills provision.
Training to address basic skills needs and work focused training continues to be available through the new deal programme. The mandatory new deal programmes contain a formal training element tailored to meet individual needs, and people participating in voluntary new deals can also take up training opportunities and access training through the Learning and Skills Council, or through other local agreements.
Work continues between Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Education and Skills, Jobcentre Plus and the LSC to develop proposals for a new LSC supported Basic Skills programme for Jobcentre Plus customers for introduction in September 2007.
Means Testing
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which benefits are subject to a means test; and which were so subject in (a) January 1997 and (b) July 1997. [87317]
Mr. Plaskitt: The income-related benefits, income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit were all introduced prior to 1997 and they remain income-related.
Minimum income guarantee replaced income support for pensioners from 1999 until it was, in turn, replaced by pension credit in October 2003.
Minimum Wage
Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will raise the level of carer’s allowance to the amount which would be received by a person working an average week being paid the National Minimum wage; and if he will make a statement; [86350]
(2) what steps he is taking to reduce poverty among carers. [86351]
Mrs. McGuire: Carer’s allowance is an income-maintenance benefit for carers who are not in full-time work and regularly provide substantial care, of at least 35 hours a week, to a severely disabled person receiving attendance allowance or the equivalent rates of the disability living allowance care component. Carers receiving carer’s allowance can have earnings, net of a range of expenses, including the cost of alternative care for either the severely disabled person or a child under 16 years of age while the carer is at work, of up to the national insurance lower earnings limit, currently £84 per week, net of certain expenses. This limit and the weekly rate of carer’s allowance are increased each year to maintain their value. We have no plans to increase carer’s allowance to the level of the national minimum wage.
Special help is available for lower-income carers entitled to carer’s allowance through the carer premium in the income-related benefits and the additional amount for carers in pension credit. In 2002 we increased the carer premium by £10 per week over and above annual increases to reflect movements in the Retail Price Index, and set the rate of the additional amount in pension credit at the same level. Currently, carers can receive up to £26.35 per week more from these benefits than other recipients, More than 181,000 pension credit recipients, 210,000 income support recipients and 3,000 income-based jobseeker’s allowance recipients are receiving this extra help.
Analysis of the
Family Resources Survey and Households Below Average Incomes datasets
indicates
that carers, including those receiving carer’s allowance, are no
more likely to be in poverty(1) than the general
population.
(1) Defined as income below 60 per cent. of median household income (before housing costs).
National Insurance Numbers
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what changes have been made since 5 May 2005 to the requirements for applicants for National Insurance numbers to produce original documents. [82606]
Mr. Plaskitt: Original documents are required in all circumstances. This position has not changed since 5 May 2005.
Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what checks are carried out on people applying for National Insurance numbers; and if he will make a statement. [72632]
Mr. Plaskitt: Adults who apply for a National Insurance number (NINO) are subject to a comprehensive range of checks throughout the NINO application process.
The Department then follows a robust process to verify the individual’s identity, including a face-to-face interview designed to build up a picture of the individual’s circumstances; document examination checks to ensure the authenticity of any documentary evidence provided in support of the application; and corroborative checks with third parties (including other Government Departments) to verify information supplied during the interview.
Only when Jobcentre Plus is satisfied as to the individual’s identity will a NINO be allocated.
Occupational Pensions
Mr. Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what EU regulatory requirements apply to the activities and supervision of institutions for occupational retirement provision. [88910]
James Purnell: The requirements of EU Directive 2003/41/EC on the activities and supervision of institutions for occupational retirement provision, which was adopted by the member states on 3 June 2003, apply to the activities and supervision of institutions for occupational retirement provision.
Mr. Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations his Department plans to send to the Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Supervisors 2006 Conference. [88911]
James
Purnell: The Department for Work and Pensions will be
represented at the Committee of European Insurance and Occupational
Pensions Supervisors 2006 Conference by senior members of staff from
the Pensions Regulator. The Pensions Regulator is a non-departmental
public body responsible for the supervision of work-based pension
schemes within the UK, and usually represents the UK
at the regular meetings of the Committee of European Insurance and
Occupational Pensions Supervisors. The Department works closely with
the Pensions Regulator to ensure that the interests of UK pension
scheme members are appropriately represented at these
meetings.
Pathways to Work
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to issue guidance to encourage the public sector to employ people with mental illnesses, in line with the relevant recommendation by the Work and Pensions Committee in its report on incapacity benefit and Pathways to Work. [82828]
Mrs. McGuire: The Department is host to the Office for Disability Issues, which was launched on 1 December 2005 to take forward the Government’s strategy for improving the life chances of disabled people. One element of this work will be to oversee the effective implementation of the Disability Equality Duty, which requires all public bodies to actively promote equality of disabled people, including people with mental illnesses. The Office for Disability Issues is working in partnership with the Disability Rights Commission to support and encourage government departments to commit to meaningful actions that will improve their policies and services and realise the potential of their diverse workforces.
In addition the Disability Rights Commission has produced a series of Codes of Practice, assisting people and organisations to understand their rights and duties under the Disability Discrimination Act. The Codes give practical guidance, including illustrative examples covering a wide range of impairments, on how to prevent discrimination against disabled people. The Codes have been produced following wide-ranging consultation by the Disability Rights Commission to ensure they are appropriate for the users. The Commission has also produced a range of guidance leaflets and other information to help improve awareness and understanding of rights and requirements under the Act.
Pension Credit
Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many residents in (a) South East Cambridgeshire constituency, (b) Cambridgeshire and (c) the Eastern region receive pension credit. [88817]
James Purnell: The information is in the following table.
Pension Funds (Winding Up)
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total amount of assets was in pension funds that started to wind up before 6 April 2005 with insufficient funds to cover their pension entitlements before annuities were purchased; and if he will make a statement. [89091]
James Purnell: This information is not available.
Pension Schemes
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to encourage the implementation of auto-enrolment pension schemes. [88687]
James Purnell: The Government have published research findings which show the effectiveness of automatic enrolment as a technique for improving levels of pension saving.
In July 2005 the Government published technical guidance for the pensions and financial services industries on how to operate automatic enrolment techniques within the current legal framework governing personal pensions. The Government are at present exploring whether it can develop similar guidance for employers, in order to encourage the use of automatic enrolment into occupational pension schemes.
In its Second Report, the Pensions Commission recommended that all employees should be automatically enrolled into funded pension saving but with the right to opt out, and with a modest compulsory employer contribution. In the White Paper Security in retirement: towards a new pensions system the Government made it clear that it accepted the Pensions Commission’s recommendation. The Government will introduce legislation requiring employers to automatically enrol their employees into either good quality occupational schemes or personal accounts.
Pensioners (Poverty/Council Tax Assistance)
Mr. Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of pensioners in the (a) Houghton and Washington East constituency and (b) Sunderland city council area have been lifted out of poverty since 1997. [87366]
James Purnell: Specific information regarding low income for Great Britain is available in "Households Below Average Income (HBAI) 1994/95-2004/05", available in the Library. The main source for HBAI is the Family Resources Survey. "Pensioner Poverty" in the context of this question is taken to be the standard measurement, i.e. people over state pension age living in a household with income below 60 per cent. of the Great Britain median.
The data source does not allow us to provide robust estimates below a regional level. Therefore, estimates for Houghton and Washington East constituency and Sunderland city council are not available. Since 1996-97, around 50,000 people over state pension age in the North East have been lifted out of poverty after housing costs have been taken into account, or around 10,000 before housing costs have been taken into account. This represents 12 per cent. after housing costs, or 3 per cent. before housing costs.
Mr. Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of pensioners in the (a) Houghton and Washington East constituency and (b) Sunderland city council area have received the £200 payment to assist with council tax in 2005-06. [87367]
James Purnell: Information that is available is in the table below. It is not possible to provide the percentage of pensioners in the Houghton and Washington East constituency who have received the £200 payment because the information is not available by parliamentary constituency.
| Payments made | Percentage of people aged 65 or over | ||
| Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and refer only to the main payment run for the £200 payment to help with Council Tax bills, so they do not include the late payment run figures. The final figures will be available shortly and placed in the Library. 2. Percentage figures have been calculated using mid year population estimates of men and women aged 65 and over, which are not available by Parliamentary Constituency. Source: DWP Information Directorate and Office for National Statistics and General Register Office, Scotland (Mid year population estimates). | |||
Pensions
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the number of pensioners who will have an income, through the basic state pension and state second pension, before the addition of means tested benefits, that is higher than the basic state pension level and lower than the savings credit lower threshold in (a) 2010, (b) 2020, (c) 2030, (d) 2040 and (e) 2050 under the proposals in the White Paper Security in Retirement, Towards a New Pensions System. [78003]
James
Purnell: The following table gives the information
requested under our reforms, where more
people will be getting state pensions based on their national insurance
records, and there will be a more generous basic state pension due to
the restoration of the earnings link. This provides a solid foundation
for private saving. Incentives are further enhanced by reducing the
growth of the savings
credit.
| Table 1: Pensioners with gross retirement pensions between the level of a full basic state pension and the savings credit threshold under the White Paper reform proposals | |
| Number of pensioners | |
| Notes: 1. The estimates are subject to wide margins of uncertainty because they rely on very long-term projections of state pension accruals by individual pensioners. 2. Gross retirement pension is defined here as basic state pension plus gross additional pension i.e. that which has accrued from both contracted-in rights and contracted-out equivalent rights. 3. The projections assume: continued earnings uprating of the standard guarantee credit; the savings credit maximum is uprated by earnings from 2008 and then by prices from 2015; earnings uprating of the basic state pension from 2012; measures to improve coverage of the basic state pension described in the White Paper. 4. The projections are rounded to the nearest 50,000. Source: DWP microsimulation modelling and DWP administrative data | |
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