§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Benefits Agency staff have their pay linked to performance in respect of (i) benefit clearance times, (ii) benefit accuracy, (iii) weekly benefit savings from detected fraud and (iv) any performance measurements. [81695]
§ Mr. TimmsThe administration of the Benefits Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. I have asked him to write to my right hon. Friend.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Frank Field, dated 22 April 1999:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many Benefits Agency staff has their pay linked to performance in respect of (i) benefit clearance times, (ii) benefit accuracy, (iii) weekly benefit savings from detected fraud and (iv) any performance measurements.
Under the current Benefits Agency Performance Pay Scheme a proportion of an officers pay is determined by their annual performance appraisal rating. Appraisal ratings are determined by two factors:
success in meeting up to six key work objectives andthe demonstration of a number of competencies, for example communication skills reasoning and intellect, and resource management.
Each year, key work objectives are agreed by an officer and their line manager. Benefit clearance times, benefit accuracy, weekly benefit savings from detected fraud, and other performance measures, may appear within one or more of the key work objectives.
Unfortunately specific information of the numbers of staff who have one or more of these measures included in their key work objectives is only available at disproportionate cost.
I am sorry that, on this occasion, I could not be of more help.