§ Mrs. RoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what methods of measurements and from what base lines his Department employs in assessing the quality of life implications of policy proposals; and how these were selected. [55769]
§ Mr. DenhamThis Department uses a range of measures to assess policy proposals and their implications for both customers and staff. The methods of measurement and base lines are selected as appropriate in the context, and in accordance with relevant guidance from HM Treasury and other Government Departments. Most social research projects commissioned by the Department are concerned, directly or indirectly, with collecting data on quality of life. Examples include routine monitoring through customer satisfaction surveys and the Family Resources Survey, as well as specific evaluations of national programmes and pilot studies to test new initiatives.