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6 Nov 2006 : Column 920W—continued
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the cost of the Benefit Simplification Unit was in each year since its establishment; [77982]
(2) what the key performance targets are for the Benefit Simplification Unit; and if he will make a statement; [77987]
(3) when the Benefit Simplification Unit was established; what publications it has produced; and what assessment he has made of its performance against its objectives; [77944]
(4) what the key performance indicators are for the Benefit Simplification Unit; [90404]
(5) what the total (a) set-up and (b) running costs have been of the Benefit Simplification Unit. [90405]
Mr. Plaskitt: We announced the setting up of a dedicated benefit simplification unit on 7 December 2005, at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing into the National Audit Office report "Dealing with the complexity of the benefit system", published on 18 November 2005.
The unit's role is to act as a catalyst in driving forward simplification across the benefits system, by challenging existing complexity and ensuring that the need to bear down on complexity is at the heart of future benefit design and delivery. As a first step, the unit published "Simplification: Guide to Best Practice" on 4 May 2006. Copies have been placed in the Library. The unit is now working to help embed best practice and over the summer has run a series of roadshows to raise awareness of the simplification agenda across the Department.
Progress on simplification will be reported on annually in the departmental report, and the effectiveness of the unit will be reflected in the extent to which key performance indicators are met across the Department, where these indicators are partly dependent on the complexity of the system. The unit is also looking at whether it is possible to produce a reliable set of indicators to measure future progress.
The unit was fully staffed by the end of July 2006 (including a secondee from Citizens Advice). There were no specific setup costs, as permanent staff were drawn from within the Department. Total running costs over the period January 2006 to September 2006 were £207,000.
Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his Answer of 27 March 2006, Official Report, column 717W, on benefits, what consultations his Department has undertaken to inform its ongoing review of the non-dependant deduction regime; and if he will make a statement. [97005]
Mr. Plaskitt: The Government published the Welfare Reform Green Paper “A New Deal for Welfare; Empowering People to Work” (Cm 6730) which invited comments on the housing benefit scheme in general on 24 January. Although there was no specific reference to non-dependent deduction in the Green Paper, over 600 individuals and organisations gave their views in the consultation period. Of these, 11 specifically made a reference to non-dependent deductions. The Government response, “A New Deal for Welfare: Empowering People to Work. Consultation Report” (Cm 6859) was published on 19 June 2006.
Mr. Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in each constituency in Scotland receive the (a) carer’s allowance, (b) higher rate of attendance allowance, (c) pension credit and (d) child benefit. [96260]
Mrs. McGuire: The information requested is in the following table:
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