HC Deb 25 July 1986 vol 102 cc584-5W
Mr. Thurnham

asked the Paymaster General what were the mean and average overhead costs during 1985 for each community programme entrant, broken down by type of expenditure to include administration, supervision and materials.

Mr. Lang

During 1985–86 there were 241,200 entrants to the community programme, including managers or supervisors. Average wage-related costs per entrant were £2,405. Other cost elements per entrant were as follows:

£
Operating Costs 275
Agency Fees 62
MSC administration and marketing 76
Other expenditure 17

These Manpower Services Commission expenditure categories do not directly correspond with administration, supervision and materials, the categories requested.

Administration consists both of direct MSC expenditure and fees claimed by agents, each of whom operate a number of community programme projects. In addition agencies may either set up a project under community programme rules to handle administration of the agency centrally or use up to 20 per cent. of the total operating costs made available by the MSC to fund central services.

Supervision expenditure consists of a proportion of both agency fees and wage-related costs (approximately 20 per cent. of wage-related costs related to managers and supervisors).

Materials expenditure is included in operating costs (this element also includes some expenditure on capital items and training).

Mr. Thurnham

asked the Paymaster General what information he has about the comparative average amount in benefits claimed by (a) entrants to community programmes immediately prior to their entry and (b) people who are eligible for a place on a community programme but who decline to take it up; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lang

According to the fourth community programme participants' survey, the average amount in benefits claimed by participants interviewed in the survey, immediately prior to entry to the programme, was £30.41. The average includes those participants who were not claiming any benefit.

There are no figures available on average benefit levels received by those people eligible for a place on the programme who did not enter the scheme.