HC Deb 21 January 2003 vol 398 c261W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the extent of job sharing in his Department. [90858].

Mr. McCartney

Nine people are currently employed in this department on a 'formal' job share basis as at 30 November 2002. However, over 30,000 people work part-time, including some who are employed on an Informal' job share basis.

Our Equal Opportunities statement actively promotes and supports the use of flexible working patterns to enable those working for us to balance home and work responsibilities. Jobsharing is just one of the alternative and flexible working patterns that employees are welcome to take up. The flexibility of the jobshare is decided in conjunction with local management to suit an individuals need and the needs of their work. The Department operates Flexible Working Hours (FWH) Schemes wherever practicable. The framework gives managers discretion and freedom to develop FWH schemes to suit their individual business and staff needs.

All vacancies are open to people with different working patterns, unless real operational needs preclude it.

Components of mean gross income of pensioner units, excluding those with earnings, by quintile of the net income distribution, 1994–05
and 2000–01
Results based upon data from the FRS Incomes in £Per week 2001–2013;01 prices
Quintiles of the income distribution
Bottom fifth Next fifth Middle fifth Next fifth Top fifth Overall mean
1994–95 Means Pensioner couples
Gross income Of which: 143 183 227 307 552 264
Benefit income 125 145 155 154 139 143
Occupational pension 11 27 56 122 283 87
Investment income 7 11 15 31 126 33
Earnings * * * * * *
Other income * 1 * * 5 1
Single pensioners
Gross income Of which: 80 104 123 151 275 144
Benefit income 72 87 105 111 115 97
Occupational pension 3 11 13 30 105 31
Investment income 5 6 5 10 52 15
Earnings * * * * * *
Other income * * * 1 4 1