§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures(a) are in place and (b) are being introduced to protect staff from attack by Benefits Agency clients. [2767]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThis is an operational matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 7 November 1996:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what measures (a) are in place and (b) are being introduced to protect staff from attack by Benefit Agency clients.My answer to your question concentrates on the delivery of Benefit services by BA staff, in Employment Service Jobcentres following the recent introduction of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). Virtually all Benefits Agency offices have floor to ceiling screened protection and there are no plans to remove screens in Benefits Agency offices.The Benefits Agency and Employment Service have worked together to identify the risks to health and safety arising out of the introduction of JSA. We have taken the necessary practical steps to minimise risks, consistent with the need to ensure the effective delivery of services provided from Jobcentres. It was agreed that the Employment Service should initiate a nationwide programme of health and safety risk assessments at each of their Jobcentres to identify the appropriate measures required for that particular site.A full risk assessment audit has been conducted throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Comprehensive assessments have been carried out in all 1,100 Jobcentres, and the resultant risk reduction measures are intended to minimise the risks to staff while supporting the operational necessity for JSA to be administered in an open-plan environment. Examples of additional measures which have been introduced into Jobcentres following the Risk Assessments are panic alarms, closed circuit television and extra security guards. Local risk assessors are free to recommend any counter measures they feel appropriate. Where the Risk Assessment recommends delivery of an element of a benefit process from a screened environment, this aspect of service would be delivered from screened BA premises.The assessment process is ongoing. A generic review was completed some weeks ago and a full review is planned when the new benefit is more established.I hope my reply has helped to explain the position and you find it helpful.