HC Deb 11 March 1986 vol 93 cc440-1W
Mr. Chris Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the live caseloads at Bloomsbury local Department of Health and Social Security office, Tavistock square, are still awaiting the November 1985 benefit uprating; and how many are still awaiting the November 1984 uprating.

Mr. Major

None. Both benefit uprating exercises have been completed.

Mr. Chris Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many new claims for social security were made in the past 12 months to the Bloomsbury local Department of Health and Social Security office at Tavistock square; how many of these are still awaiting assessment; and how long they have, on average, been awaiting assessment.

Mr. Major

Information is not available in the precise form requested. 12,228 supplementary benefit claims were cleared in the 12 months up to 11 February 1986. On that date 202 claims were still awaiting assessment. On average, claims are processed within three weeks; this includes the time taken, in some cases, to collect additional information from claimants.

Mr. Chris Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many live claims for social security the Bloomsbury local Department of Health and Social Security office at Tavistock square is currently handling.

Mr. Major

On 11 February 1986 the total number of live cases was 9,194. This is marginally more than the

Complement March Staff in post on 1 March Number of cases in action—February
1981 52 * *
1983 67 75 7,239
1985 76 92 8,682
1986 90 94 9,194
* Not available

Note In July 1984 there was a boundary change which resulted in five posts being transferred from Bloomsbury area office to Euston integrated local office.

Mr. Chris Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many urgent needs payments have been made in the last 12 months by the Bloomsbury local Department of Health and Social Security office, Tavistock square; and how many are currently outstanding.

Mr. Major

In the 12 months up to 11 February 1986, 1,557 urgent needs payments were made and on that date (the latest for which figures are available) none was outstanding.