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Dept of Social Security;Social Security Benefits Agency

Answer

Jackie Ballard: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on recruitment and promotion of Benefits Agency staff in Somerset. [110831] Angela Eagle: This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member. Letter from Peter Mathison to Jackie Ballard, dated 22 February 2000: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about recruitment and promotion of Benefits Agency (BA) staff in Somerset. The number of staff recruited by the BA in Somerset over the last 3 years is: 1997: 36 staff (this includes 8 existing BA staff who transferred to Somerset) 1998: 80 staff (this includes 3 existing BA staff who transferred to Somerset) 1999: 162 staff (this includes 27 existing BA staff who transferred to Somerset) The number of BA staff from Somerset that have been promoted over the same period is: 1997: 1 member of staff 1998: 14 staff 1999: 12 staff (of which 1 is still unposted) The high numbers recruited in 1999 are partially the result of Somerset District being a pilot for the ONE Project, and cover staff employed in the District together with other BA Units which are based in the Country of Somerset. It is anticipated that there will be further promotion and recruitment exercises in Somerset later this year. I hope this is helpful.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

345 c182-3W; 110831

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Civil servants Career development Recruitment Somerset Social Security Benefits Agency

Contains statistics

Yes