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15 Jan 2007 : Column 892Wcontinued
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Jobcentre Plus offices had their opening hours reduced in each of the last eight quarters for which figures are available; and which offices had such reductions in the last (a) six, (b) 12, (c) 24 and (d) 48 months, broken down by parliamentary constituency. [102107]
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 15 January 2007:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many Jobcentre Plus offices have had their opening hours reduced in each of the last eight quarters for which figures are available; and which offices had such reductions in the last 6, 12, 24, and 48 months, broken down by parliamentary constituency. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
A total of 97 Jobcentre Plus sites have had a reduction in opening hours in the last eight quarters to September 2006. A total of 123 Jobcentre Plus sites have had a reduction in opening hours in the four years to September 2006. It is not possible to provide information broken down by parliamentary constituency, as it is gathered at a Jobcentre Plus District level. The information available is set out in the attached table, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what checks are made by Jobcentre Plus on the immigration status of applicants and claimants. [102179]
Mr. Plaskitt: 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 15 January 2007:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what checks are made by Jobcentre Plus on the immigration status of applicants and claimants. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
When a customer contacts Jobcentre Plus we ask he or she to provide their national insurance number. If a customer does not know their national insurance number or they do not have one, and we cannot match their personal details against an existing record the customer is asked to obtain a national insurance number for their benefit claim to proceed. The national insurance number application process involves an evidence of identity interview where the customer is asked to prove their identity. He or she is also asked questions about nationality, residence, and details of their journey to the UK.
Even if an applicant for benefit already has a national insurance number, he or she will be expected to provide confirmation of their identity as part of the claims process.
At the initial interview the Financial Assessor will establish the customer's identity and, if applicable, their partner's identity. If the Financial Assessor has any concerns, they will request evidence to be provided to verify the identity of the customer, and would not allow the claim to proceed until they are satisfied of the customer's identity.
Anyone who has arrived in the UK in the two years prior to making a benefit claim must prove they have a right to reside in the UK, as well as being habitually resident, before any claim is processed or payment made.
In addition, a "right to work" condition has been introduced into the National Insurance Number allocation and decision-making process for employment-related applications. This was implemented in July and guidance has been issued to all Jobcentre Plus staff
To support this, changes to Regulation 9 of the Social Security (Crediting and Treatment of Contributions and National Insurance Numbers) Regulations 2001 were laid before Parliament on 7 November 2006.
Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what role was played by Mind in the development by his Department of the two-day learning event for advisers on working with customers with a mental illness referred to in the answer of 31 October 2006, Official Report, columns 263-64W, on Jobcentre Plus; and if he will make a statement. [109330]
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.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what role was played by Mind in the development by his Department of the two-day learning event for advisers on working with customers with a mental illness referred to in the Answer of 31st October 2006, Official Report, columns 263-4W, on Jobcentre Plus. This is something that falls within my responsibilities as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Jobcentre Plus works with a range of partners including MIND in the development of training materials to support the
implementation of the Jobcentre Plus Incapacity Benefit Adviser role. The Working with Customers with a Health Condition or Disability training product was developed for staff and sent to MIND for their quality assurance prior to release.
Mr. Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many women in the UK were entitled to maternity allowance in each year since 2001-02; and what estimate he has made of the future take-up rates; [107559]
(2) how many women in the UK received maternity allowance in each year since 2001-02; and what estimate he has made of the likely number in each year from 2006-07 to 2009-10. [107560]
Mrs. McGuire: The available information is in the table.
Awards of maternity allowance | |
Number | |
Notes: 1. The figures for maternity allowance up to 2003-04 are based on a 5 per cent. sample of the maternity allowance computer system. The figures from 2004-05 onwards are forecasts. 2. The figures have been rounded to the nearest 1,000. 3. In line with HM Treasury expenditure planning cycles, forecasts of benefit case load and expenditure are not currently available beyond 2007-08. |
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