HC Deb 19 November 2003 vol 413 cc1071-2W
Mr. Flight

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total cost was of(a) setting, (b) monitoring and (c) measuring the performance targets for his Department in 2002–03; and how many and what grades of civil servants monitor these targets. [137944]

Maria Eagle

Performance targets for the department were agreed as part of Spending Review 2002. The monitoring and measurement of PSA targets forms part of departmental performance management. Performance management is an integral part of the day to day running of the department, and as such it is not possible to separate the specific costs out. The monitoring of progress towards, and performance against, the department's PSA targets is undertaken by a wide variety of staff at all levels of the organisation.

Mr. Flight

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the performance targets that(a) his Department and (b) its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are required to meet; and if he will specify for each target(i)who sets it and (ii) who monitors achievement against it. [137960]

Maria Eagle

Key performance targets for the Department for Work and Pensions are agreed as part of the Spending Review and the latest set were published in Spending Review 2002: Public Service Agreements 2003–2006 (Cm 5571). The department monitors progress towards the targets along with HM Treasury and progress is reported regularly.

The department has four agencies:

  • Jobcentre Plus
  • The Pension Service
  • The Child Support Agency
  • The Appeals Service.

The department also sponsors twelve non-departmental public bodies:

  • Executive bodies:
  • Health and Safety Commission
  • Health and Safety Executive
  • Disability Rights Commission
  • Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority

fact that State Pension is paid in advance. In practice any effect upon low income households is beneficial as the following chart shows. In the case of bereavement benefits, which are also paid in advance, there is no change upon reaching pension age, since the same payday is maintained.

  • Pensions Compensation Board
  • Remploy Ltd

Tribunal body:

  • Office of the Pensions Ombudsman

Advisory bodies:

  • Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board
  • Industrial Injuries Advisory Council
  • Social Security Advisory Committee
  • National Employment Panel
  • Disability Employment Advisory Committee.

Agency performance targets are set by the Secretary of State and are set out in the Business Plans of our Agencies and, where appropriate, in the Business Plans and Annual Performance Agreements of the Non Departmental Public Bodies. They are available in the Library.

Achievement against the targets is monitored as part of the department's performance management, which is an integral part of the day to day running of the department. Monitoring of progress towards, and performance against, the targets is undertaken by a wide variety of staff at all levels of the organisation, and includes meetings between Ministers and Chief Executives or equivalent.

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