§ Mr. Ian McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many people are involved in the workstart programme; [2239]
(2) if the contract for the survey being conducted by Martin Hamblin Research was awarded by competitive tender; what is its value; and when the research will be published; [2241]
(3) how many people in the workstart programme are being questioned for the survey currently being undertaken by Martin Hamblin Research; and how many of these have agreed that their records can be handed over to a third party. [2240]
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§ Mr. ForthResponsibility 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 4 November 1996:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the number of people currently on Workstart, and the research and contractual issues surrounding this programme. This falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of the Employment Service.Since 1993, the Employment Service has been assessing the viability of paying a subsidy to employers to recruit very long term unemployed jobseekers. Three pilot studies have been undertaken to test various delivery models, with a fourth currently underway and linked to the Project Work initiative.Results for the period ending September 1996 show that a total of 2,946 people have taken part in the programme.The contract for the research on the Workstart programme was put out to competitive tender, the successful contractors being Martin Hamblin Research. The value of the most recent survey was £8,175 (excluding VAT), the results of which are due to be published in Autumn 1997.In the Workstart survey recently concluded, one hundred and fifty people were interviewed. Acting as principal for the Employment Service, Martin Hamblin Research processed all monitoring information relating to the programme. This relationship is recognised under the Data Protection Act and individual data is treated anonymously at all stages of the analysis.Following up individuals in this manner is standard procedure. It is important to evaluate our initiatives to assess how they achieve their wider objectives, the help they give to individuals, and their value for money.I hope that this is helpful.