DWP Central Freedom of Information Team

e-mail: [DWP request email]

Our Ref: VTR FoI 991

24 June 2009

Dear Mr Jackson

Freedom of Information Request - VTR - FoI 991

I am writing in response to your Freedom of Information request of 27 May. I am sorry for the delay in doing so. You asked the following questions:-

a) Does YMCA Training who operate out of Dencora House in Ipswich

get an additional four pounds allowance a week per a participant?

b) Do each prime contractor in every area of the country receive

the four pound per week allowance or is it varied on a post code

lottery or on negotiation of contracts?

An average weekly amount for customer travel costs will have been negotiated between this Department and YMCA. The agreed sum will have been based on knowledge of current transport costs and arrangements and also whether the participant is required to make a contribution for their own travel costs for that provision. This money is paid monthly to the provider.

Participants in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance/New Deal allowance payments must meet the first £4 of their weekly travel expense. The balance is paid by the provider to the participant.

Voluntary participants (for example, on the New Deal for Lone Parents) will be reimbursed this first £4 by their Jobcentre Plus Adviser.

Participants on non-allowance based provision (e.g. Gateway), or who chose to remain on Incapacity Benefit or Employment Support Allowance are entitled to payment of full travel expenses by the provider.

The above applies across all New Deal Prime Contracts.

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 the handling of it. The review will be conducted by another officer, usually of a more senior grade to me. This person will have taken no part in the original handling of your request. You will be advised of the reviewing officer's decision in writing.

If you are 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

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Yours sincerely

DWP Central FoI Team