Written question asked by Chris Ruane (Labour) on Thursday, 7 March 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 May 2002. It was answered by Nicholas Brown (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 May 2002 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) deaths, (b) serious injuries and (c) recorded incidence of verbal abuse there were in Benefits Agency offices in each of the last 10 years. - Includes figures for 1999/2001 for verbal abuse; ref to 13 March 2002, 381 c1118-9W for assaults and that details of injuries disproportionate cost. (Holding answer 12 March 2002).

Answer: Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) deaths, (b) serious injuries and (c) recorded incidence of verbal abuse there were in Benefits Agency offices in each of the last 10 years. [42531] Mr. Nicholas Brown: [holding answer 12 March 2002]: The available information on the number of incidents of verbal abuse occurring in Benefits Agency offices is in the table. Incidents of verbal abuse in Benefits Agency offices _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number of incidents 1999 1,624 2000 2,414 2001 2,379 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. During this period there have been no deaths reported. For information on the number of assaults in Benefits Agency offices I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 13 March 2002, Official Report, column 1118W. Information is not available on the seriousness of any injuries received and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 42531; 384 c868-9W;384 c868W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Bullying Death Crimes of violence Jobcentres Injuries Jobcentre Plus Staff Working conditions Social Security Benefits Agency
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk