§ Mr. ClellandTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many employees of Remploy have been dismissed in the past 12 months; and how many of these were trainees. [20424]
§ Maria EagleDuring the 12 months from December 2000 to November 2001, 2,315 people left Remploy's employment, for a variety of reasons.
The number of trainees leaving the WorkStep programme without employment during this period was 189. Reasons for leaving included poor conduct, resigning for personal reasons, and medical reasons.
During the same period, Remploy took on 344 trainees into permanent positions in Remploy sites and progressed another 121 trainees into external employment.
§ Mr. ClellandTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many non-disabled workers have been recruited through agencies who are employed by Remploy. [20425]
§ Maria EagleRemploy rarely recruits employees through the use of employment agencies relying mostly on the Employment Service to refer candidates for employment.
Remploy does use agency labour (not employed by Remploy) from time to time to address temporary work load fluctuations, or the need for specialist skills. These individuals are supplied by an agency, often on a weekto-week, short-term, temporary basis, to meet customer demands while avoiding incurring long-term costs and liabilities.
Currently, Remploy is using around 30 agency employees in this capacity.
§ Mr. ClellandTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what was the total cost of administration in Remploy in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01. [20426]
§ Maria EagleThe total costs of administration in Remploy were:
Year £million 1997–98 19.6 1998–99 17.6 1999–2000 17.7 2000–01 18.0 These totals cover all salary and bought-in costs for everything except direct labour, factory overheads, sales and marketing, distribution and financial charges.
§ Mr. ClellandTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the individual annual remuneration was to(a) the Chairman and (b) executive directors of Remploy in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–2000 and (iv)2000–0l. [20427]
§ Maria EagleIndividual annual remunerations were as follows.
903W
£ 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 Chairman (D. G. Heywood) 14,000 13,000 10,400 — Chairman (A. E. Pedder—appointed 1 January 2000) — — 10,800 72,500 Chief Executive (A. G. H. Withey) 110,000 115,000 114,500 47,700 Chief Executive (R. Paffard—appointed 1.11.00) — — — 58,000 Finance Director 78,000 80,000 84,100 87,800 Personnel Director 76,000 78,000 83,000 86,200 Operations Director 76,000 79,000 84,200 97,200 Sales and Marketing Director (appointed 1 November 1998 to 31 December 2000) — 31,000 76,400 — 1 Mr. Pedder's involvement was increased to provide cover until the new chief executive was appointed, and to develop the new strategies for the company.
§ Mr. ClellandTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what were the average weekly hours worked by Remploy employees in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01. [20432]
§ Maria EagleRemploy does not record average weekly hours of work for its employees.
However, in this period the standard contracted hours of work for employees have reduced.
In 1997–98, standard hours were 37 per week. On 31 May 1999 they were reduced to 36.5 hours per week and on 5 June 2000 they were further reduced to 36 hours per week.