The available information is in the following tables. The figures are a planning assumption only, consistent with the HM Treasury unemployment assumption, and do not represent an official departmental forecast of inflows to jobseeker’s allowance.
Total jobseeker’s allowance inflows 2008-09 2,863,000 2009-10 3,620,000 2010-11 3,558,000 2011-12 3,427,000
Of which: Quarter ending Lone parent migration Employment and support allowance ineligibility October 2008 — — January 2009 — 3,000 April 2009 16,000 3,000 July 2009 15,000 2,000 October 2009 20,000 2,000 January 2010 16,000 5,000 April 2010 27,000 7,000 July 2010 20,000 6,000 October 2010 14,000 6,000 January 2011 42,000 6,000 April 2011 43,000 6,000 July 2011 19,000 6,000 October 2011 17,000 6,000 Notes: 1. These inflows are consistent with the Treasury unemployment assumption. As such they do not represent an official Government forecast of inflows into jobseeker’s allowance. 2. Total inflow figures give financial year totals, as the claimant count assumption quoted in the pre-Budget report is also on this basis. They are the sum of inflows from April to March, that is, the figure labelled 2008-09 represents the total inflows from April 2008 to March 2009. 3. Inflow figures as a result of the lone parent migration and work capability assessment are on a quarterly basis. They are the sum of inflows over the three months in a quarter, that is, the figure labelled April 2009 represents the total inflows in February, March, and April of 2009. 4. The figures are based on the assumption that over the next few years jobseeker’s allowance claimants will flow off benefit at a lower rate than today. 5. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand (and therefore are rounded to zero if less than 500). 6. All figures relate to claimants in Great Britain.
The available information is in the table. The Department does not make a planning assumption for the number of off-flows directly entering employment.
The figures are a planning assumption only, consistent with the HM Treasury unemployment assumption, and do not represent an official departmental forecast of exits from jobseeker’s allowance.
Total jobseeker’s allowance outflows 2008-09 2,547,000 2009-10 3,288,000 2010-11 3,439,000 2011-12 3,458,000 Notes: 1. These outflows are the planning assumption which is consistent with the Treasury unemployment assumption. As such they do not represent an official forecast of outflows from jobseeker’s allowance. 2. Figures given as financial year totals, as the claimant count assumption quoted in the pre-Budget report is also on this basis. They are the sum of inflows from April to March, that is, the figure labelled 2008-09 represents the total inflows from April 2008 to March 2009. 3. The figures are based on the assumption that over the next few years jobseeker’s allowance claimants will flow off benefit at a lower rate than today. 4. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand (and therefore are rounded to zero if less than five hundred). 5. All figures relate to claimants in Great Britain.
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 asking if he will introduce measures to ensure that Jobcentre Plus offices assist Jobseeker's Allowance claimants in contacting other agencies for advice and support on debt and financial management; and if he will make a statement. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Signposting customers to appropriate agencies for advice and support on debt and financial management has long been part of the services provided by Jobcentre Plus personal advisers. To help our advisers with this, we have a comprehensive programme of blended learning designed to equip them with the range of knowledge and skills required to support all customers. This learning provides the adviser with the key skills needed to undertake effective work-focused interviews, identify barriers that may be making it harder for customers to find work and, where appropriate, signpost customers to relevant sources of help.
More specifically, the “Introduction to Customer Groups” learning and development module provides guidance on how to help customers with debt problems. This module is currently being updated to strengthen and reinforce the help that is available to customers from Third Sector Organisations, and is included in a range of learning routeways to ensure personal advisers and other staff are able to signpost customers to an appropriate source of help.
It is also worth mentioning that as part of a national partnership agreement, customers with debt problems are often referred to their local Citizens Advice Bureau, which is well equipped to offer advice and guidance.
I hope this information is helpful and assures you of our intent to work effectively with a range of partner organisations to make sure customers receive the best possible service.