§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many posts are vacant in the National Probation Service; for how long these posts have been vacant; what the average length of time taken to fill vacant posts was in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [145287]
§ Paul GogginsThe information requested is as follows:
The total number of vacant posts within the National Probation Service as at 30 June 2003 was 1,059.9 full time equivalent, which equates to 5.61 per cent. of the total workforce and is based on agreed funded establishments as at the 1 April 2003.
The National Probation Directorate (NPD) does not collect information on the length of time for which posts remain vacant nor on the average length of time taken to fill vacant posts. The management of the recruitment process is the responsibility of each individual area and as such, will be influenced by area service-delivery priorities and external forces such as the local labour market.
§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the probation areas in England and Wales will receive less in real terms under the financial settlement for 2004–05, after central recharging and performance-linked penalties are taken into account. [141802]
§ Paul GogginsA final decision about the budget for the National Probation Service has not yet been made. The gross domestic product (GDP) deflator set by the Treasury is 2.5 per cent. for 200–5. It is not expected that any probation areas will have an increase in their main resource allocation of less than the GDP deflator, after central recharging (outside the control of the local area) and performance-linked penalties are taken into account.