§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what has been the number of attacks on Employment Service office staff in each of the last five years; what assessment she has made as to the causes of such attacks; and if she will make a statement; [11933]
(2) what account she takes of representations by staff when considering the provision of safety measures in jobcentres; [11934]
(3) what plans she has to allow additional safety measures to be provided at jobcentres at the request of staff; and what funding she will make available for this purpose. [11935]
§ 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 front Mike Fogden to Mr. John McAllion, dated 29 January 1996
The Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply to your questions concerning attacks on Employment Service (ES) staff.All attacks against my people are taken very seriously and we investigate them thoroughly. Fortunately, few of these attacks result in physical injury. The incidence of attacks need to be placed in the context of the some two million contacts we have with the public every week. Seen in that light the likelihood of someone in the Employment Service being attacked is, I am pleased to say, low. That does not diminish our determination to ensure that it is as low as possible and we continue to work to that end. Every incident is studied to assess causes and see if any changes are needed to the existing countermeasures. These studies show that there arc very different factors for each incident, but typical countermeasures will 559W include upgrading the security arrangements, better training in customer handling, introducing more effective and efficient working procedures and improving the layout of the office to provide better traffic flow and more accessible escape routes for my people.The figures of actual assaults on my people in each of the last five years are:—
- 1991: 152
- 1992: 203
- 1993: 258
- 1994: 268
- 1995: 234
A systematic risk assessment, by competent Risk Assessors, to identify and recommend measures to reduce incidents to the minimum practical level has been made of all our Jobcentres in preparation for the introduction of Jobseeker's Allowance (ISA). Trade Union Health and Safety representatives were fully consulted as part of the risk assessment process. Their views were fully taken into account by risk assessors.Safety and security measures will receive priority funding and I anticipate no difficulties in implementing the agreed recommendations of Risk Assessors.I hope this is helpful.