WELFARE OFFICERS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE

That this House recognises the importance of welfare officers in the Civil Service who provide valuable and cost-effective welfare services to their colleagues; expresses concern at plans in HM Revenue and Customs and other Government departments to abolish these posts and move towards using privatised, less personal employee assistance services such as automated telephone services; expresses concern that these plans come at a particularly bad time as staff morale is low due to future job insecurity and the economic crisis; strongly believes that the Government should set an example when it comes to preventative measures to support well-being at work; further believes that accessible, professional and personal contact in the workplace for someone in distress is vital and that these services should continue to be delivered by the civil servants with a proven track record of provision; and urges HM Revenue and Customs and others in the Civil Service to reconsider their proposals.