§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's policy is for dealing with claimants who(a) verbally and (b) physically attack staff in Benefits Agency, Employment Service and Jobcentre Plus offices. [32650]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownMinisters and Senior Management have made clear that we will not tolerate threats, abuse, actual or attempted assaults on our staff in the Benefits Agency, the Employment Service and Jobcentre Plus. Our staff are public servants who strive to give a quality service.
The overwhelming majority of people who use our offices behave well, but we are not prepared to allow a small minority of violent or abusive people to deflect us from achieving the outstanding service levels for which we are aiming.
Our clear policy is not to tolerate abusive or violent behaviour. People who act in this way will be asked to leave our offices. We will not hesitate to involve the Police; to deny abusive and violent people future access to our offices; and, where appropriate, to prosecute.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many physical assaults there have been in the Jobcentre Plus Pathfinder Clusters since their establishment in September 2001; how many assaults there have been in offices with screened areas; and if he will make a statement. [32758]
§ Mr. Nicholas Brown[holding answer 4 February 2002]: Benefits Agency staff receive training for the specific roles they undertake and will continue to do so in the organisations that succeed it. Jobcentre Plus and the Pension Service will come into being from April 2002.
During the design and development of the Jobcentre Plus pathfinders, the safety of staff has been of paramount importance. All staff have received training for the specific roles they undertake and staff dealing with the public have been trained in preventing and calming difficult situations.
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will provide additional training for Benefits Agency staff to help them deal with individual threats. [32970]
§ Mr. Nicholas Brown[holding answer 4 February 2002]: Benefits Agency staff receive training for the specific roles they undertake and will continue to do so in the organisations that succeed it. Jobcentre Plus and the Pension Service will come into being from April 2002.
During the design and development of the Jobcentre Plus pathfinders, the safety of staff has been of paramount importance. All staff have received training 1473W for the specific roles they undertake and staff dealing with the public have been trained in preventing and calming difficult situations.