Jobseeker's Allowance (Hansard, 19 May 1998)

§ Mr. Keith Bradley

I have been asked to reply.

The Government are seeking to develop an active modern service that is flexible, efficient and easy to use. This will support promoting jobs not benefit dependency.

The administration of Jobseeker's Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Barry Jones, dated 18 May 1998: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on the operation of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) in Wales. JSA is delivered jointly by the Employment Services (ES) and the Benefits Agency (BA). The two agencies are accountable for different aspects of JSA delivery; the ES for labour market aspects and the BA for payment aspects and other Social Security benefit services. Areas of joint accountability are kept to a minimum. The organisational arrangements were shaped by the following operational objectives: to maximise the extent to which all services for the Jobseeker, including advice on relevant Social Security benefits, are delivered through a Jobcentre; 319W to improve service delivery and reduce administrative costs by streamlining processes and reducing the duplication of functions across the agencies; to achieve an effective partnership between the two separate agencies, whilst maintaining clear lines of accountability and responsibility. These objectives have a direct bearing on the location of functions, contact with the Jobseeker in the Jobcentre, the division of accountability and responsibility between the BA and the ES and the supporting management arrangements. Contact with Jobseekers is primarily through the Jobcentre. To support this, there is a minimum requirement to locate certain BA functions in the Jobcentre and, as far as possible, the Jobseeker is seen by the same team of staff. The level of service offered is underpinned by the Secretary of State's performance targets and the Jobseeker's Charter; the Employment Service also has JSA performance targets agreed with the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. These interrelate to deliver all elements of JSA. The basis of the relationship between the two agencies is set out in a Memorandum of Understanding. There is regular, formal contact between managers in BA and ES at all levels in order to ensure that the JSA operation is effectively managed and that opportunities are taken jointly to effect any necessary improvements in performance and customer service. For example, there is a national initiative currently underway, examining the options available for improving customer service; Wales is included in this. There are 93 Jobcentres in Wales, 65 have at least one member of BA staff permanently on site. In addition, 10 Jobcentres have BA member of staff present on a part-time basis and in 4 other Jobcentres ES staff provide BA services through a Service Level Agreement. Of the remaining sites, 5 have access to BA services through a direct phone link in the Jobcentre or through a Public Caller Office situated within the same town. I hope that this is helpful.