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Dept for Work and Pensions;Child Support Agency

Answer

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what funding has been set aside to retrain staff from job centres and benefits agency offices who lose their jobs. [190677] Jane Kennedy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to my hon. Friend. Letter from David Anderson to Mr. Chris Ruane, dated 1 November 2004: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions concerning the funding that has been set aside to retrain staff from job centres and Benefits Agency offices. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. The Department for Work and Pensions will only consider compulsory redundancies when absolutely necessary. However where redundancies are deemed necessary the department will fund outplacement support for staff affected and is currently working with external partners regarding this provision. As we are currently in negotiation with the providers we are not able to divulge outplacement costs at this stage as this would be to provide contractual information prior to the contract being signed. I hope this is helpful.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

426 c115-6W; 190677

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Civil servants Jobcentres Finance Jobcentre Plus Staff Redundancy Training Social Security Benefits Agency

Link

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