§ Ms. ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many claimant advisers are in post; how many interviews with claimants they have carried out in each year since 1986; what has been the outcome of those interviews; how many claimants have been referred to the Department of Health and Social Security for advice on other benefits or to adjudication officers because of doubts about their availability for work; how many have been836W encouraged to apply for the job start allowance; if he will give the costs of the claimant adviser service; and if he will make a statement about their current priorities.
§ Mr. CopeAt the end of June 1988, there were 796 claimant advisers in post; estimated costs for the 1988–89 financial year are approximately £14 million.
The number of interviews conducted and the outcome of those interviews for each financial year is shown in the table.
The priority of the claimant adviser service is to provide advice and guidance to claimants to help them move out of unemployment. In accordance with the priorities of the employment service, they concentrate their advice on those who have been unemployed for six months or more.
Claimant Adviser Performance November 86 April 87 April 88 March 87 April 88 June 88 Number of Interviews1 65,000 620,000 192,000 Referrals to DHSS2 7,600 63,500 16,400 Referrals to AO3 2,500 26,100 5,800 Outcomes —found work or placed in a programme 2,600 100,000 36,500 —alternative benefit 5,400 56,500 15,600 —other4 10,000 88,000 26,000 1 This figure relates to the number of interviews, rather than the number of claimants interviewed, as claimants may have more than one interview. 2 It is only possible to provide figures for the total number of referrals made to DHSS for all reasons. 3 Figures are for total referrals to adjudication officers for all doubts arising. 4 Figures are not available for those who have encouraged to apply for jobstart allowance.