§ Mr. RooneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the performance of the Employment Service against its targets in 1995–96. [35289]
§ Mr. ForthThe Employment Service performed very well in 1995–96, meeting or exceeding 10 of the 12 targets set in the annual performance agreement. A total of 1,935,300 unemployed people were placed into jobs, against an annual target of 1.9 million. This represents 58,500 more placings than in 1994–95. Performance against all the targets for 1995–96 is set out in the following table:
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Employment service performance against target April 1995 to March 1996 Annual performance targets Target levels Performance 1. To place 1.9 million unemployed people into work at a planned unit cost of £185, assuming 2.65 million vacancies are notified 1.9 million 1,935,300 2. 29.5 per cent, of total unemployed placings achieved to be long-term claimants 29.5 per cent. (560,500) 29.2 per cent (565,800) 3. 27 per cent, of total unemployed placings achieved to be people in inner cities 27 per cent. (513,000) 27.5 per cent. (531,400) 4. 55 per cent, positive outcomes for unemployed claimants invited to a 12 month advisory interview 55 per cent. 57 per cent. 5. 45 per cent, positive outcomes for unemployed claimants invited to a 24 month advisory interview 45 per cent. 49 per cent. 6. 80 per cent, of starts on training for work to be referrals from the Employment Service 80 per cent. 83 per cent. 7. 9.5 per cent, of initial claim enquiries not to be pursued as new claims 9.5 per cent. 10.8 per cent.
Employment service performance against target April 1995 to March 1996 Annual performance targets Target levels Performance 8. 185,000 submissions to adjudication where there is an arguable case, with supporting information to show that the claimant is not available for, actively seeking or willing to accept work 185,000 273,900 9. At a planned unit cost per claimant of £15.80 for all benefit claims —despatch 75 per cent, of first payments of unemployment benefit within 12 days of claim 75 per cent. 74.6 per cent. —97 per cent, of unemployment benefit payments by value to be correct 97 per cent. 96.7 per cent. 10. 4 per cent, of total unemployed placings achieved to be people with disabilities 4 per cent. (76,000) 4.5 per cent. (87,400) 11. 82,000 claims to be withdrawn of those suspected of obtaining benefit by deception following fraud investigation 82,000 88,500 12. To achieve £58 million in efficiency savings £58 million £74.63 million