Andrew Rosindell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the answer of 26 November 2008, Official Report, columns 1993-4W, on Jobcentres, how many people were employed in Jobcentres in each year for which figures are available. [241040]
Mr. McNulty:
The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
12 Jan 2009 : Column 33W
Letter from Mel Groves:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question, with reference to the answer of 26 November 2008, Official Report, columns 1993-4W, on Jobcentres, how many people were employed in Jobcentres in each year for which figures are available. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
The table shows the number of full time equivalents (FTEs) that have been identified as being employed within Jobcentres each year within the period April 2003 to March 2008. Information prior to April 2003 is not available.
Number of FTE staff in Jobcentres
April 2003
33576.19
March 2004
36080.59
March 2005
40008.09
March 2006
40400.27
March 2007
26028.53
March 2008
27870.67
Notes:
1. Headcount figures are quoted in full-time equivalents using the Office for National Statistics criteria for counting headcount.
2. The figures quoted include all staff who have been identified as being employed within a Jobcentre. It does not include individuals in Social Security Offices or regional/district offices. Source:
Jobcentre Plus Management Information Portal.
Jobseeker’s Allowance
Jenny Willott:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of jobseeker's allowance applications received by Jobcentre Plus were from people who had claimed jobseeker's allowance within the previous (a) three, (b) six and (c) 12 months of the claim being made in each quarter of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [241004]
Mr. McNulty:
The information requested is not routinely collected and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Ben Chapman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what activities qualify as work-type activity for the purposes of receiving jobseeker's allowance. [242361]
12 Jan 2009 : Column 34W
Mr. McNulty:
In order for a person to qualify for jobseeker's allowance they must be available for, capable of, and actively seeking work.
Actively seeking work means that a person must carry out a reasonable number of activities, normally a minimum of three, every week in trying to secure work. At the beginning of a claim and at regular intervals thereafter, the customer will discuss with their adviser what employment they are looking for. They will then be required to actively seek work in whatever way is most appropriate for that type of employment and their individual circumstances. These activities will be agreed by both parties.
When considering the reasonableness of the activities, the adviser will take into account the customer's skills, qualifications and abilities, along with any personal limitations they may have. They will also consider how long the customer has been unemployed and the current availability of that work in the local labour market.
Examples of the types of activities a person may engage in are: speculative enquiries with employers; using all means available to locate suitable work, such as Jobseeker Direct, Jobpoints, internet, newspapers and magazines; registering with appropriate recruitment and employment agencies; and applying for all suitable jobs by the most appropriate means. This list is not exhaustive.
Jobseeker’s Allowance: Bexley
Mr. Evennett:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what courses were offered to claimants of jobseeker's allowance in the London borough of Bexley in the last 12 months; and what the cost was per person of each course completed. [243048]
Mr. McNulty:
The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
Letter from Mel Groves:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what courses were offered to claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance in the London borough of Bexley in the last 12 months and the cost per person of each course completed. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus.
I have enclosed a table which details the courses offered, with a brief description of each course, its duration, delivery location and the cost per customer of completing a course.
Courses available to customers in London Borough of Bexley within last 12 month period—contracted provision
Course
Description
Duration of course
Delivery location
Cost per customer (£)
Programme centres
Individually tailored job search for customers six months+ on JSA
13 weeks
PDRC Bexleyheath
367.30
Self-employment
Stage 1
Initial assessment
One day
Bexley JCP
60.20
Stage 2
Completion of business case and preparation for S/E
Eight weeks
TBA between TNG and customer
354.60
Stage 3
Test Trading
26 weeks
TBA between TNG and customer
2,616.75
Independent Assessment
Basic skills assessment
One day
Greenwich Alliance
65.00
New deal programmes
Gateway to Work(1)
Job search, advice and guidance, CV preparation.
Two weeks
CDG Eltham; CDG Greenwich; A4E Woolwich
786.35
12 Jan 2009 : Column 35W
12 Jan 2009 : Column 36W
New Deal Mentoring
One-to-one support tailored to individual needs
Fortnightly sessions
CDG Greenwich
696.94
Sound Engineering and Music Provision
Preparing clients for career in music industry
13 weeks
Deptford
1,450.76
Management and Professional
Specialist provision for graduates and professional customers
13 weeks
CDG Croydon
1,920.17
ESOL
Support for clients with very limited English
13 weeks
CDG Eltham
3,847.77
Basic Skills Employability Training
Basic skills training, career development, work trails and work placements
26 weeks
Bromley Field Studies
3,847.77
Numeracy and Literacy
Numeracy and literacy training towards qualifications. Work placements and job search
26 weeks
CDG Eltham; A4E Woolwich
3,847.77
New deal FTET 18-24 years
Business Administration
Tailored learning plans and work placements
13 weeks
CDG Eltham
1,717.66
Retail and Customer Service
Tailored learning plans and work placements
13 weeks
CDG Eltham; CDG Greenwich
1,717.66
Hospitality
Tailored learning plans and work placements
13 weeks
A4E Woolwich
1,717.66
Security Guard Training
Tailored learning plans and work placements. SIA licence
13 weeks
CDG Greenwich
1,920.17
Construction and Motor Mechanics
Tailored learning plans and work placements. CSCS licence
13 weeks
Study Xpress Woolwich
2,122.69
Teaching Assistant(2)
Practical training and work placement
20 weeks
Twin Training Lewisham
2,643.29
ETF Band C
Work placements in occupational areas and job search
13 weeks
CDG Greenwich; A4E Woolwich
2,189.49
Horticulture ETF Band C
Horticulture skills and duties
13 weeks
Bromley Field Studies
2,189.49
VS Band B Admin, Retail, Leisure, Hospitality
Work placements and job search in occupational areas
13 weeks
CDG Greenwich; A4E Woolwich
2,031.51
VS Band C Management, Health Care and Media
Work placements and job search in occupational areas
13 weeks
CDG Greenwich; A4E Woolwich
2,189.49
New deal IAP Age 25+
Business Administration
Tailored learning plans and work placements
13 weeks
CDG Eltham
2,031.51
Retail and Customer Service
Tailored learning plans and work placements
13 weeks
CDG Eltham; CDG Greenwich
2,031.51
Hospitality
Tailored learning plans, with work placements
13 weeks
A4E Woolwich
2,031.51
Security Guard Training
Tailored learning plans and work placements. SIA licence
13 weeks
CDG Greenwich
2,343.23
Health care and Public Services
Tailored learning plans and work placements
13 weeks
CDG Greenwich
2,189.49
Horticulture
Horticulture skills and duties
13 weeks
Bromley Field Studies
2,189.49
Construction and Motor Mechanics
Tailored learning plans and work placements. CSCS licence
13 weeks
Study Xpress Woolwich
2,343.23
Teaching Assistant(2)
Practical training and work placement
20 weeks
Twin Training Lewisham
2,643.29
Fork Lift
Practical training
13 weeks
CDG Greenwich
2,475.77
LGV Driving Cert C
Practical training
13 weeks
Training in Transport NW10 7AR
3,204.18
LGV Driving Cert CE
Practical training
13 weeks
Training in Transport NW10 7AR
4,197.67
ESF
Hardest to help(3)
Personalised support modules, motivation and confidence building
Outreach at Bexley JCP
1,923.08
Intensive Job search
CV and application support
Outreach at Bexley JCP
1,853.96
(1) Available at six months for customers 18 to 24 years and at 18 months for customers 25 years+. (2) Available from September 2008. (3) Available from November 2008. Abbreviations key:
FTET = Full Time Education Training
IAP = Intensive Activity Period
VS = Voluntary Sector
ETF = Environmental Task Force
ESF = European Social Fund
ESOL = English as a Second language Providers:
CDG: Careers Development Group—New Deal prime contractor.
A4E, Bromley Field Studies, Study Xpress, and Twin Training—all subcontractors of CDG.
PDRC: Personal Development Resource Centre—programme centre prime contractor.
