---

Dept for Work and Pensions

Answer

Mr. Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the piloting of capability reports for personal advisers in jobcentres; and if he will make a statement. [146623] Mr. Browne: Since 2000, the Department has been piloting the use of capability reports by personal advisers conducting work-focused interviews with customers claiming incapacity benefit. The Department commissioned research to assess the effectiveness of this capability report in supporting personal advisers and has undertaken additional in-house evaluation. Research undertaken by the National Centre for Social Research for the Department for Work and Pensions was published in 2002 ("Evaluation of the Capability Report: Identifying the work-related capabilities of incapacity benefit", WP Research report 162), copies of which are in the Library. In taking forward findings from this evaluation, a range of activities were put in place to improve the use and effectiveness of the capability reports, including improving training for advisers and piloting a shorter version. Formal piloting of the clerical capability reports ended in March 2003; this work has informed the development of an electronic version of the report. The new incapacity benefit pilots will include an evaluation of the role of this new capability report.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

416 c458-9W; 146623

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Advisory services Department for Work and Pensions Jobcentres Incapacity benefit Research

Link

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