§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average pay rate on offer at each jobcentre in England for the latest week for which figures are available. [12841]
§ Mr. ForthResponsibility for the subject of the question 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 R. D. Horne to Mr. Peter L. Pike, dated 31 January 1996:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the average pay rate on offer at each Jobcentre in England. In the absence of Mr Fogden I have been asked to reply.The Employment Service does not collect regular figures on wage rates of vacancies held by Jobcentres.However, research has been undertaken on advertised vacancies in February 1994 which gave the following estimates for Great Britain, based on those vacancies for which wages and hours were given (ie not those open to an element of negotiation). These show that at that time 11% of vacancies were for hourly rates of pay of £2.50 or below, 47% for £2.51–3.50, 27% for £3.51–£4.50, 8% for £4.51–£5.50 and 7% for over £5.50. Research on the value of vacancy circulation is being carried out at present and is expected to be published by the summer. It is expected to provide some further, limited information on wage rates of Jobcentres vacancies.I am sorry that I cannot be of more help.