§ Mr. HansonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost of the appointment of Andersen Consulting as consultants to the Child Support Agency.
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member shortly.
Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. David Hanson:
I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security on the cost of Andersen Consulting to the Child Support Agency.
I am afraid that I am unable to provide you with information about Andersen Consulting in particular as this information is confidential due to its commercial nature. I can tell you however, that the Agency spent a total of £23 million on consultants in 1993–94.
§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much the Child Support Agency has spent on consultants in 1993; and what is the estimated expenditure on the contract with Andersen Consulting.
Benefit recipients in England Benefit Number of recipients (000's unless stated*) 1964 1971 1981 1991 1993/latest Attendance Allowance n/a n/a 293 771 760 Child Benefit 3,199 3,672 6,058 5,813 5,919 Rent Rebate n/a n/a n/a 2,337 2,451 Rent Allowance n/a n/a n/a 977 1,338 Community Charge Benefit n/a n/a n/a 5,475 n/a Council Tax Benefit (CTB) n/a n/a n/a n/a 4,523 Disability Living Allowance n/a n/a n/a n/a 1,033 Disability Working Allowance* n/a n/a n/a n/a 2,990 FIS/Family Credit n/a n/a 85 278 429 Guardians Allowance* n/a n/a 2,695 1,501 1,630 Supplementary Benefit/Income Support n/a 2,398 3,131 3,743 4,795 Industrial Disablement Benefit n/a 158 150 152 169 Invalidity Benefit n/a n/a 468 971 1,072 Maternity Allowance n/a n/a n/a 48 40 Mobility Allowance n/a n/a 174 545 n/a One Parent Benefit n/a n/a 399 692 757 Sickness Benefit n/a n/a 282 83 109 Severe Disablement Allowance n/a n/a 107 237 245 Unemployment Benefit 122 346 951 543 501 Widows Benefit n/a n/a 335 269 261 198W
Benefit recipients in Scotland Benefit Number of recipients (000's unless stated*) 1964 1971 1981 1991 1993/latest Attendance Allowance n/a n/a 30 84 74 Child Benefit 405 439 679 615 621 Rent Rebate n/a n/a n/a 466 458 Rent Allowance n/a n/a n/a 74 91 Community Charge Benefit n/a n/a n/a 646 n/a Council Tax Benefit (CTB) n/a n/a n/a n/a 573 Disability Living Allowance* n/a n/a n/a n/a 146 Disability Working Allowance* n/a n/a n/a n/a 341 FIS/Family Credit n/a n/a 14 41 60 Guardians Allowance* n/a n/a 487 255 247
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. John Speller:
I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security on the Agency's expenditure on consultants.
In 1993–94 the Agency spent £2.3 million on consultants.
I am afraid that I am unable to provide the other information you request as it is confidential due to its commercial nature.