HC Deb 24 May 2002 vol 386 cc649-50W
Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much on average of the resources allocated to New Deal training is spent on(a) training and (b) administration. [53742]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

The full contract price is payable to New Deal providers. It is not possible to identify separately how much of their funding providers allocate to administration and how much to training. In some circumstances the provider may subcontract some of the training provision. Where this is the case, the provider may retain a management or administration fee. We do not specify the amount that should be retained for this purpose, but we would not expect it to exceed 10 per cent of the contract price. Where an administration fee is retained, it is normally around 6 per cent of the contract price. The appropriateness of the level of administration is assessed as part of the contract tendering process.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will conduct an inquiry into the level of administration in the New Deal programme. [53743]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

We keep the level of New Deal administration under constant review. Significant reductions have already been made, for example, in the number of forms needing completion. We are looking at ways to reduce administrative burdens even further. For instance, we are considering how we can use information technology more effectively as a means of exchanging information between providers and Jobcentre Plus.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will conduct an inquiry into the proportion of the budget spent on administration by individual training providers under the New Deal programmes. [53745]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

Providers are already subject to contractual and quality audits, which cover their administrative arrangements. Jobcentre Plus Regional Contracts Managers, District Quality Management Teams and the Adult Learning Inspectorate conduct individual provider assessments and reviews which cover the administration, delivery, quality and propriety of the provision being delivered. Providers' administrative arrangements are monitored to ensure appropriate records are being kept for audit purposes.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to ensure that the resources allocated for training under the New Deal are spent on training. [53746]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

New Deal providers are subject to thorough contractual and quality audits. These specifically consider the delivery of training against the requirements set out in providers' contracts. Jobcentre Plus Regional Contracts Managers, District Quality Management Teams and the Adult Learning Inspectorate conduct individual provider assessments and reviews, which cover the administration, delivery, quality and propriety of the provision being delivered.