HC Deb 30 January 1996 vol 270 c629W
Mr. McMaster

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer of 14 December,Official Report, column 738, what guidelines her Department has issued to placing, assessment and counselling team managers and regional PACT managers on the funding of access to work. [12216]

Mr. Forth

Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. Gordon McMaster, dated 30 January 1996: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about guidelines to Placing, Assessment and Counselling Team (PACT) and regional PACT managers on the funding of Access to Work. Funding for Access to Work is devolved to regions. PACT managers and regional PACT managers have general guidance on the management of budgets and, from the outset of Access to Work, they have had specific guidance on the management of Access to Work resources. Since the Secretary of State's announcement on 14 December 1995 we have issued further guidance to ensure that resources are being targeted in line with the announcement. I hope this is helpful.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the funds allocated to(a) access to work schemes and (b) the supported employment schemes are cash limited in (i) the present financial year and (ii) 1996—97 financial year. [11975]

Mr. Forth

Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. Dafydd Wigley, dated 30 January 1996: The Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply to your question about whether the funds allocated to the Access to Work and Supported Employment programmes are cash limited. I can confirm funds allocated to Access to Work and to Supported Employment programmes are part of a cash limited Vote in both the present and the 1996–97 financial years. However, as a Next Steps Agency the Employment Service has specific financial flexibilities, which enable me to switch provision in-year between programmes, within the overall Vote. Exercising these flexibilities are subject to HM Treasury confirmation. I hope this is helpful.