Written question asked by David Laws (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 2 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 December 2005. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Monday, 12 December 2005 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Jobcentre Plus

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many calls have been made by claimants from ‘warm phones' within Jobcentre Plus offices to Jobcentre Plus call centres in each month since 2003; how many of these calls (a) were handled by an adviser and (b) received an engaged tone; and what the average wait was to speak to a call centre adviser in each month.

Answer: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 12 December 2005:"The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning how many calls have been made by claimants from ‘warm phones' within Jobcentre Plus offices to Jobcentre Plus call centres in each month since 2003; how many were (a) handled by an adviser and (b) received an engaged tone, and what the average wait was to speak to a call centre adviser in each month. This is something, which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.""We do not hold centrally the information required to answer your question on calls from Jobcentre Plus ‘warm phones' and this could only be obtained at disproportionate cost."

Secondary information