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Social Security Benefits

Volume 486: debated on Thursday 15 January 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost of processing (a) jobseeker’s allowance and (b) income support was in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08. (244541)

The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.

Letter from Mel Groves:

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning what the cost of processing (a) Jobseeker's Allowance and (b) Income Support benefits was in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.

Information on the staff costs of processing new claims for each benefit is provided in the table below.

£ million

2007-08

2006-07

Jobseekers Allowance new claims

45.6

44.5

Income Support new claims

46.5

42.5

Source:

Jobcentre Plus Activity Based Management systems.