Dear Department for Work and Pensions,

In a report issued by the Scottish Parliament Welfare Reform
Committee (link below), Neil Couling, your Work Services Director is quoted as saying:

1. "Yes, that's not so remarkable [that jobcentres are inundated with thank you cards from claimant's that have been sanctioned].

I would like to know how many thank you cards have been received by each individual Jobcentre in County Durham. If it's possible, please be specific about how many of those cards were sent by recipients of benefit sanctions.

Please note, this isn't - as might appear - a flippant request. A senior official has made a statement to parliament that we believe to be false, and I'd like it quantified.

2. Mr Couling says the DWP employs qualified psychologists in its jobcentres. We'd like to know how many qualified psychologists the DWP employs in jobcentres throughout the country, and in which jobcentres such staff are employed. Please also tell us about the role of psychologists in Jobcentres. Is there guidance for Jobcentres about how to use the psychologists they employ?

Thank you.

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parlia...
(col. 1452)

Yours faithfully,

McAllister (Ms)