HC Deb 09 February 1995 vol 254 cc419-20W
Sir John Stanley

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether it is his policy that those administering the jobseeker's allowance be set financial targets for disqualifying claimants of unemployment benefit; and whether any of their pay will be related to the financial outturn for unemployment benefit under the performance-related pay policy.

Miss Widdecombe

There is no policy of setting targets for disqualifying claimants.

Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what special help will be provided for directing persons from minority groups who are seeking entitlement to the jobseeker's allowance.

Miss Widdecombe

[holding answer 6 February 1995]: The Employment Service currently provides help for people from minority groups through specialist inner city officers and outreach officers. Key leaflets are also produced in the main ethnic minority languages. Interviews with clients whose first language is not English and who need help with translation are arranged to take place in the client's own language or with a translator. These provisions will continue when the jobseeker's allowance is introduced.

Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what criteria will be used to specify the skills required by Employment Service officers in undertaking the role of assessor for the purposes of entering into the jobseeker's agreement.

Miss Widdecombe

[holding answer 6 February 1995]: The criteria will be based on what is needed to ensure that the jobseeker clearly understands the entitlement conditions and how these relate to the local labour market.

A full programme of training is being prepared for Employment Service staff before the proposed introduction of the jobseeker's allowance.

Mr. Rooney

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment in relation to the jobseeker's allowance, what is the composition of the business assurance committee; how often it has met; and what is its cost.

Miss Widdecombe

[holding answer 6 February 1995]: The Employment Service and Benefits Agency have both set up business assurance committees to ensure that the jobseeker's allowance is developed in accordance with the business needs of each agency. Although set up in slightly different ways, each committee is made up of representatives from the agency's field organisation and from its head office. The committees meet, as necessary, and the only costs incurred above normal staff salaries are travel costs.