To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) training and (b) support options are offered to (i) those in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance, (ii) those in receipt of incapacity benefit, (iii) those on the new deal for lone parents and (iv) partners of new deal claimants; and for what reasons distinctions are made between the options available to those in each category. (206081)

Jobcentre Plus advisers give support and advice to all their customers. This includes, but is not limited to, advice about benefits, vacancies, training possibilities and child care.

Training is provided to Jobcentre Plus customers from a variety of sources including private and voluntary sector providers. The specific training needs of the individual are identified during an interview between the personal adviser and the customer.

Although the route to training may vary between the various client groups (for example new deal 25 plus, pathways to work, new deal for lone parents) the broad range of training is available to all. Advisers will tailor training towards the particular needs of the individual to ensure that they maximise their chances of returning to employment.

The support available to each client group is tailored towards the type of specialist help and support they need based upon available resources. This support has been developed over time, either as a result of the evaluation of what individuals need, or by the evaluation of the effectiveness of programmes and pilots, in helping these client groups to enter, remain in and progress in work.

Further information can be found at the Jobcentre Plus website,

www.jobcentreplus.co.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the value of unclaimed means-tested (a) benefits, (b) pension credit, (c) disability related allowances and (d) attendance allowance was in each of the last three years. (209755)

Estimates of the value of unclaimed means-tested benefits in Great Britain, covering income support, pension credit, housing benefit, council tax benefit and jobseeker’s allowance (income-based), are published in the report “Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 2006-07”. A copy of this report, along with past reports, has been placed in the Library.

Estimates for means-tested disability related allowances and attendance allowance are not available.