HC Deb 06 November 1996 vol 284 cc554-5W
Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the current staff complement at the Ayr benefit office; how many of those have been working there for more than(a) one year and (b) five years; how many of these serve as adjudicating officers; what formal qualifications these adjudication officers have; what monitoring is undertaken of their work; and to whom the adjudication officers at Ayr are directly accountable; [1352]

(2) how many of the staff of the Ayr benefit office have formal qualifications (a) in medicine, (b) in professions allied to medicine, (c) in social work and (d) of a degree or equivalent; what arrangements are made for the monitoring of the work of the staff of the Ayr benefit office; and who is responsible for the training of staff at Ayr. [1346]

Mr. Roger Evans

This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. George Foulkes, dated 5 November 1996: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking what is the current staff complement at the Ayr benefit office; how many of those have been working there for more than (a) one year and (b) five years; how many of these serve as adjudicating officers; what formal qualifications these adjudication officers have; what monitoring is undertaken of their work; and to whom the adjudication officers at Ayr are directly accountable; and how many of the staff of the Ayr Benefit Office have formal qualifications (a) in medicine, (b) in professions allied to medicine, (c) in social work and (d) of a degree or equivalent; what arrangements are made for the monitoring of the work of the staff of the Ayr Benefit Office; and who is responsible for the training of staff at Ayr. There are currently 172 staff employed in the Ayr Benefit Office of whom 172 have been there for more than one year and 139 have been in post for more than 5 years. There are 15 Adjudication Officers (AOs), 3 of whom (including one part-time) are engaged as specialist AOs dealing with Incapacity Benefit including cases which have failed the All Work Test. All AOs have undertaken intensive training provided by BA Training Operations. Independent monitoring of adjudication is in place within Ayr Benefit Office which forms part of the Benefits Agency South West Scotland District Office. There is independent monitoring undertaken by the Central Adjudication Services. AOs are independent authorities accountable to Chief Adjudication Officers on all aspects of adjudication and standards thereof. There are no members of staff with formal qualifications in medicine, professions allied to medicine and Social Work. There are 6 staff with a degree or equivalent. All work is monitored as a matter of routine by checking processes, and by a dedicated quality control section. The District Manager is responsible for the training and development of staff through a structured training organisation within the District structure under the control of the District's Human Resources Manager. I hope you find this reply helpful.