§ Steve Webb:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to how many lone parents his Department has issued letters in the last 12 months informing them of their potential entitlement to child maintenance 47W bonus in the event of them taking work; and what the average amount of those potential entitlements would be. [141542]
§ Mr. Browne:The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive, David Anderson. I have asked him to reply to the hon. Member.
Letter from David Anderson to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 2 December 2003:
As Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply direct to your question about letters issued in the last 12 months to lone parents advising them about their potential entitlement to Child Maintenance Bonus. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
Unfortunately, the information on how many lone parents were issued letters in the last 12 months informing them of their potential entitlement to Child Maintenance Bonus is not available. It is not routinely collected. Figures are not readily available to determine what the average payment would be for those customers who, over the past 12 months, had been advised of a potential entitlement. This information could only be determined at disproportionate cost.