§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what training was given to his Department's staff with regard to the regulations under the Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) Miscellaneous Amendment Regulations issued on 22 November 2000 before they came into effect. [6741]
§ Malcolm WicksThis is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Andrew George, dated 22 October 2001:
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what training was given to his Department's staff with regard to the regulations under the Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) Miscellaneous Amendment Regulations issued on 22 November 2000 before they came into effect.Two training events were developed to support the introduction of the Incapacity Benefit Reforms.A three and a half day course, aimed at all staff who administer and process claims to Incapacity Benefit, was designed and developed centrally and delivered locally through the District Office Training Officer network. This event examined in detail the changes affecting the treatment of Incapacity Benefit claims and provided practice cases to consolidate trainees' learning.A further event, a half-hour question and answer brief, again developed centrally, was delivered to all other staff by either local line management or training personnel. This product provided awareness of the Incapacity Benefit changes and was aimed at those staff without any direct involvement in the administration of Incapacity Benefit.In addition to the training events outlined above, the detailed changes to Incapacity Benefits were also conveyed to staff through benefit specific circulars.I hope this is helpful.