To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what further plans he has to involve the private sector in the delivery of benefits. [82291]

We have no plans to use the private sector to deliver Social Security benefits. However, we will be using the private sector to support the delivery of new systems and to support staff to manage the changes needed to achieve the Government's objectives for Welfare Reform.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of Single Focus Work Gateway pilot projects include private sector involvement. [82293]

Ministers decided in November 1998 that in 4 of the 12 Single Work-focused Gateway (SWFG) areas, organisations from the private and/or voluntary sector would be invited to lead the delivery of SWFG. We would expect to see all successful organisations finally selected to deliver SWFG working in partnership with local organisations from the voluntary, private and public sector within each locality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the reduction in the number of public sector jobs as a result of the use of the private sector for benefit delivery. [82292]

None.