§ 2. Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what monitoring of the operation of the jobseeker's allowance that she is undertaking [11726]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Mr. Eric Forth)The Employment Service and the Benefits Agency are carrying out continuous monitoring of the operation of jobseeker's allowance and produce regular joint reports to the Secretaries of State for Education and Employment and for Social Security.
§ Mr. CorbynWill the Minister confirm that £10.7 million has already been spent on consultants to introduce the jobseeker's allowance? Can he tell us how much more is to be spent on consultancy fees in the future? From his monitoring of the operation of the jobseeker's allowance, can he tell us how many people have been denied all benefits as a result of failing jobseeker's allowance interviews? What monitoring is he undertaking of the low wages that many people are forced to accept for jobs that they are forced to take because of the draconian and inhuman way in which the jobseeker's allowance operates?
§ Mr. ForthThe answers to the hon. Gentleman's first series of questions are: yes, no, and I do not know at this stage. The answer to his last question is that, if he can produce any evidence to back up the ridiculous overstatement and hyperbole to which he is accustomed, we will of course consider it, but I am not impressed by wild accusations of that type made across the Floor of the House of Commons. They do not help the individuals allegedly involved, or anyone else.