§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many staff were employed on temporary or fixed-term contracts in the Benefits Agency(a) at the latest date for which figures are available, (b) 12 months before that date and (c) 24 months before that date. [4868]
§ Mr. FieldModernising the Social Security system is a key priority of the Government. We will streamline services to provide better, simpler more efficient services to clients. As recruitment into the Benefits Agency is a matter for Peter Mathison, its Chief Executive, I have asked him to write directly to the hon. Member and for his reply to be published with the answer.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Mark Todd, dated 1 July 1997:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many staff were employed on temporary or fixed term contracts in the Benefits Agency at the latest date for which figures are available, 12 months before that date and 24 months before that date.The information requested is shown in the table below:
30 April 1995 30 April 1996 30 April 1997 Casuals 3,978 3,403 4,010 Fixed term appointments 2,608 3,658 4,359 Figures are provisional and subject to change. I hope you find this reply helpful.