DWP Central Freedom of Information Team

e-mail: [DWP request email]

Our Ref: VTR 821

21 May 2009

Dear Ms Jones

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request dated 07 May 2009 asking:

“I would like to request information about the "Steps to Work" scheme.

When was this scheme introduced? Can I have copies of minutes of meetings discussing the proposal and eventual introduction of the scheme? I understand names may be redacted to protect identities.

Can you please tell me how many Steps to Work schemes are currently operating across the UK? Have there been schemes which were set up but now no longer exist? If so, why are they no longer in place?

How many people have attended Steps to Work to date? Can this be broken down by year since the scheme came into place? How many people are currently attending such schemes? How many have found work through the scheme?

Are there incentives for people to find work, and if so what are they?”

I'm afraid the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) does not hold the information you require. The Steps to Work scheme is a Northern Ireland scheme.

Please direct your query to the Department for Employment and Learning Northern Ireland. I have attached a link to the Contact Us page of their website for ease of reference.

http://www.delni.gov.uk/index/contact-us.htm

If you are not satisfied with my handling of your request please tell me why within two calendar months of the date of this letter. I will then arrange for someone to conduct an internal review of your request and my handling. The review will be conducted by another officer, usually of a more senior grade to me. This person will have taken no part in my original decision. You will be advised of their decision in writing.

If you are still not content with the outcome of the internal review you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner to look into the way your request has been handled. Please note that generally the Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have first exhausted DWP's own complaints procedure. The Commissioner can be contacted at:

FoI Complaints Resolution

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Fax: 01625 545 510

Email:[email address]

Yours sincerely,

Central FoI Team

Department for Work and Pensions