Personal Services Industry (Hansard, 10 December 1996)

§ Mr. Forth

Responsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 10 December 1996: The Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to write to you direct about your questions of 4 December concerning vacancies in the personal services industry, and the numbers of clients who have received jobseeker's directions, or had their Jobseekers Allowance refused or reduced, for refusing such vacancies. This falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of the Employment Service. You asked for information about notified vacancies offering employment as models and also those offering employment in sauna 113W baths, massage parlours, escort and kissogram agencies. I am afraid such information is not available. It might be helpful if I explained that the Employment Service keeps records of vacancies notified based on the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) and Standard Industrial Classification (SIC). These form the framework for the collection and analysis of data used by the Office for National Statistics and also meet standards required by the EC Regulation. SOC uses a structured approach to occupational classification. Occupations are identified and aggregated with reference to the similarity of qualifications, training, skills and experience commonly associated with the competent performance of constituent tasks. Variations in the tasks performed occur between one place of employment and another and consequently not all definitions can be expected to coincide exactly with specific jobs in a particular establishment or in a given locality. SIC was first introduced into the United Kingdom in 1948 for use in classifying business establishments and other statistical units by the type of economic activity in which they are engaged. The classification provides a framework for the collection, tabulation, presentation and analysis of data about economic activities. Its use promotes uniformity of data collected by various government departments and agencies. In addition it can be used for administrative purposes and by many non-government bodies as a convenient way of classifying industrial activities into a common structure. The structure of SOC and SIC mean, I am afraid, that it is not possible to break down information in a way which would enable the particular information you are interested in to be separately identified. On the question of notified vacancies in the personal services sector which have been withdrawn, due to concerns expressed relating to taste and decency, information of this nature is not collected. However, all Jobcentres have guidance which stipulates that they must not accept vacancies which: are illegal; would result in a breach of the law; might put jobseekers at risk. It also states that if they are notified of vacancies which require models, offer employment in sauna baths, massage parlours, escort and kissogram agencies, or other personal/telephone services special regard should be paid to the reputation of the employer. Details are sought of the establishment and conditions of training and employment, whether the hours of work or the location or interview arrangements give cause for concern, and whether there is an indication of a lack of professional standards. Jobcentres are advised that where any concerns arise about the above issues that such vacancies should be treated with caution and in any cases of doubt they should refuse to handle the vacancies. Following questions asked on 4 November by the Honourable Member for Sheffield Hillsborough about a female constituent being referred to a vacancy for an administrative assistant with a male escort agency, work is in progress to further strengthen this guidance. The information you requested concerning the number of jobseeker's directions issued to clients who have refused notified vacancies in the personal services industry, and the number of clients who have had their Jobseeker's Allowance refused or reduced for refusing to take up such vacancies, is not available and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. Your questions on the policy in respect of the continuing payment of Jobseeker's Allowance to people who have refused to take a job in the personal services industry, and your proposed amendment to the regulations, will be answered direct by the Minister of State. I hope this is helpful in clarifying the position.