HC Deb 22 May 2003 vol 405 c924W
Annabelle Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what budgetary provision has been made for the annual salary and benefit package of the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus for each of the first three years of his contract. [114386]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

[holding answer 19 May 2003]: The Chief Executive's pay will be in the Permanent Secretaries' Pay Band A, which is currently £118,750 to £199,388. It will be reviewed annually and, as with all Permanent Secretaries, the Chief Executive's future pay increases will be determined by an independent remuneration committee, chaired by the Chairman of the Senior Salaries Review Body. Normal benefits associated with the Senior Civil Service will be provided. Budgetary provision on this basis has been made within the Jobcentre Plus budget.

All Jobcentre Plus's directors' salaries and benefits for the preceding year are published in the Jobcentre Plus annual report and accounts.

Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will publish(a) the service standards set for Jobseeker Direct and (b) the performance figures for the last four quarters. [112637]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Acting Chief Executive, Clare Dodgson. I have asked her to reply to the hon. Member.

Letter from Clare Dodgson to Mr. Burstow, dated May 2002: As Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning the service standards for Jobseeker Direct and performance figures for the last four quarters. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of the Agency. The service standards set for Jobseeker Direct and the available performance figures for the last four quarters are in the table.

(2) how many sick days were lost over the last year by his Department through staff mental health problems. [112073]

Malcolm Wicks

Between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2003 14,085 people have taken sick leave due to Mental and Behavioural Disorders resulting in 475,000 working days being lost.