§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the cost is of setting up a performance cost management unit from 1 April in his Department; what are the key benefits of this; what savings to the cost of operating the Department will arise; what estimate he has made of the annual cost of the unit; and if he will make a statement. [124556]
§ Angela EagleThe Department is undergoing a fundamental review of its central and support functions in order to focus resources on delivering front line services to customers. A small Performance Management Unit (PMU) has been established within the Benefits Agency to drive out performance improvement in the Agency's 13 Area Directorates (AD) and the Disability and Carer Benefits Directorate (DCBD). The additional annual cost of this team is estimated at £100,000. There were no set up costs. In addition to the PMU, each AD and the DCBD has a Performance Improvement Action Team (PIAT) to provide support to local managers.
The aim is to improve significantly front line service delivery within the resources already set and allocated in the Comprehensive Spending Review. Work is also in hand to see how productivity can be improved which will potentially lead to cost reduction in the medium term.
By the end of 2000–01, this programme is expected to demonstrate improved benefit payment accuracy, better customer service and to have contributed to the reduction of losses through fraud and error.