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Carers’ Allowances: Preston

Answer

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Disability and Carers Service, Mr. Terry Moran. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.Letter from Terry Moran, dated 18 June 2007:"You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what commitments he has made to the Public and Commercial Services Union in relation to the Disability and Carers Service for Carers’ Allowance in Preston, Lancashire.""The Minister for Disabled People, Anne McGuire MP, promised you a substantive reply from the Chief Executive of the Disability and Carers Service.""Managers in the Disability and Carers Service (DCS) are committed to full consultation with the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union on all issues that affect the members of that Union.""As you will be aware, as part of the Efficiency Challenge all government departments have imposed headcount targets for the ""period ending March 2008. The headcount target for the Disability and Carers Service for 2007/08 is 5063. The headcount allocation for the Carers Allowance Unit (CAU) for 2007/08 is 723, which represents a reduction of 180 on current headcount.""To help achieve that target we looked to employ lean' techniques in the CAU and, following a successful trial, the ‘lean’ approach is now being implemented across the Unit. This approach includes additional checking to ensure right first time quality and improving services for customers.""Managers in the CAU have held a number of meetings with representatives of PCS to discuss ‘lean’ techniques since the work started in December 2006, and other meetings have been held to discuss the headcount reductions in the CAU. Since 1st April 2007, CAU managers have met PCS representatives on 6 occasions and a further 2 meetings are planned for later in June. In addition, following a request from PCS representatives, the CAU Manager attended a meeting of PCS members organised by the Union to discuss ‘lean’ and answer questions.""The CAU managers consult PCS on various other issues, and in addition to the meetings described above consultation has taken place through written communications on over 30 occasions since 1st April 2007.""I hope this is helpful."

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

144006; 461 c1735-6W

Session

2006-07

Subjects

Carers' benefits Preston

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk