§ Mr. ConnartyTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the benefits of access to broadband services for the(a) Benefits Agency and (b) Employment Service; and if he will make a statement. [61799]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownThe Department's Modernisation programme as a whole will deliver improved customer-facing services, reduce fraud and error and help it to operate more efficiently and flexibly. A new IT infrastructure, including broadband network services, is being installed to support the Modernisation programme and help achieve its benefits.
§ Mr. ConnartyTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what targets he has set for the roll out of broadband services in(a) benefits agencies and(b)Jobcentre Plus offices. [61800]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownBroadband network services are being installed as part of the Department's new IT infrastructure to support its Modernisation programme. Almost all of the former Employment Service staff and over half of the staff in the rest of the Department already use broadband-class data networks. It is intended to complete the roll out of the Department's broadband network by the end of the 2002–03 financial year.