HC Deb 26 November 1996 vol 286 cc171-3W
Mr. Alan Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how much has been spent by her Department during 1995–96 on placing ex-incapacity benefit claimants who are signed on as unemployed into(a) jobplans, (b) jobclubs, (c) job interview guarantees and (d) referrals to placing, assessment and counselling teams; [6193]

(2) what is her estimate of the expenditure required for 1996–97 to place ex-incapacity benefit claimants who are signed on as unemployed into (a) jobplans, (b) jobclubs, (c) job interview guarantees and (d) referrals to placing, assessment and counselling teams. [6194]

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. Alan Howarth, dated 26 November 1996: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about the expenditure for 1995–96 and 1996–97 on placing ex-Incapacity Benefit clients who are registered unemployed into various Employment Service programmes. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.

currently hold Investors in People status; and what percentage these constitute of all employers of that size in the area (a) for each of his Department's regions and (b) nationally. [6146]

Mr. Paice

The latest available data is provided in the following table:

The anticipated number of ex-incapacity benefit (IB) people making a claim to unemployment benefits was 200,000 in 1995–96 and 145,000 in 1996–97. To support the Employment Service (ES) package of help for ex-IB clients resources were allocated through PES as follows:

1995–96 1996–97
Expected number of opportunities Funding (£000) Expected number of opportunities Funding (£000)
Jobplan 86,000 9,632 68,150 7,837
Jobclub/JIG 70,000 13,230 58,000 11,252
PACT support 40,000 11,840 29,000 8,787
Total 196,000 34,702 155,150 27,876

The actual number of people who actually made a claim to unemployment benefits in 1995–96 was 40,257, which was substantially less than the anticipated figure. The table below shows the actual numbers and associated costs of those attending Jobplan, Jobclub, JIG and having PACT support in 1995–96:

1995–96
Number taking up opportunities Actual spend (£)
Jobplan 350 39,200
Jobclub/JIG 855 161,595
PACT support 9,380 2,776,480
Total 10,585 2,977,275

I hope this is helpful.

Mr. Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer of 12 November,Official Report, column 133, if she will publish the results of the research carried out by the Employment Service occupational psychology division, including its recommendations; and if she will implement those recommendations. [6191]

Mr. Forth

Responsibility 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 M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Alan Howarth, dated 26 November 1996: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about whether the results of the research carried out by the Employment Service Occupational Psychology Division, including its recommendations will be published. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency. In my letter of 12 November 1996, Official Report Column 133, I explained that work had been carried out to consider the appropriateness of the package the Employment Service (ES) had put in place to help jobseekers who have previously claimed Incapacity Benefit (IB) to return to employment. Occupational Psychology Division is now considering their findings so that a report can be prepared which will contain a discussion of the implications for the process of helping these jobseekers. Once this report has been published, I will arrange for a copy to be sent to you, and a copy placed in the Library of the House. I will be considering the findings further, with a view to implementing changes where possible to do so. I hope this is helpful.