§ 4. Mr. Brandon-BravoTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress his Department has made in relocating work from London to the rest of the United Kingdom.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security (Mr. Michael Jack)The development of the Department's information technology systems has already enabled us to transfer 1,400 jobs to three social security centres in Glasgow, Belfast and Ashton-in-Makerfield which will handle the backroom work of 21 local offices. In addition, a further 650 jobs from the benefit agency headquarters will be transferred to Leeds from May 1992.
§ Mr. Brandon-BravoI am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply. There can be little doubt that the cities that 4 benefit from the relocation—Nottingham and Derby are two in my immediate area—find it welcome and recognise the economic benefits flowing from it. Can my hon. Friend tell the House what ongoing relocation will occur in his Department and across the board in Whitehall? What are my hon. Friend's thoughts as to the position in London as a place for the remaining core activity once the main thrust is completed?
§ Mr. JackMy hon. Friend will know that, by 1992, about 80 per cent. of the work force of the Department of Social Security will be located outside London. This is very much a frontline operation in terms of the delivery of service. Many of the remaining core services in London will be handled by branch offices, the number of which will be increased. The objective is to enhance the quality of service and information available to those who seek our benefits.
§ Mr. Simon HughesI do not object in principle to the relocation, but I seek three assurances from the Minister. First, will he assure me that paperwork and applications originating in London will not be delayed by being transferred out of London and brought back again? Secondly, will the hon. Gentleman assure me that the London offices will not suffer any further neglect of their structure? Many are in bad condition and need substantial improvements such as redecoration and refurbishment. Lastly, and in particular, will the hon. Gentleman assure me that the Thames south and Thames north offices which look after the homeless and those in hostels will not suffer a reduction in service and that the people at the bottom end of the social scale will have at least as good a service as they have now, if not better?
§ Mr. JackI am glad to know that some part of government is popular. Our experience in the three social security centres leads us to believe that, for example, the error rates in terms of income support will drop from 20 to 7 per cent. and that the turnaround will drop from nine to six days—in other words, service will improve.
The hon. Gentleman asked about other London offices. One of the objectives of the benefits agency which I mentioned in response to my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Brandon-Bravo) is to consider carefully the quality of delivery of our service, wherever it is located. I can give the hon. Gentleman the assurance that I shall draw that point and his observations on the other London offices to the attention of the agency's chief executive.