§ 11. Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the numbers of staff currently employed in DSS offices in direct contact with the public.
§ Mr. BurtOver 80 per cent. of staff across the Department are in some form of direct contact with the public, providing a caring and efficient service.
§ Mrs. RocheWill the Minister undertake to look at the numbers again, given that the Archway Tower benefits office which serves my constituency is often closed for hours at a time without notice? The complacent attitude to the number of staff is not good enough; there needs to be sufficient staff to meet the needs of the public.
§ Mr. BurtI will, indeed, look at the particular incidence that the hon. Lady mentions. But I would say that there is no complacency in the Benefits Agency, which continues to turn in good results, providing a good service. This year, it has beaten its target of, for instance, clearing income support claims within four days—it is now 3.5 days—and there is a range of other targets which it meets very well. I am sure therefore that the hon. Lady will agree that the agency does a good job serving all of its people.