HC Deb 15 April 1991 vol 189 c89W
16. Mr. Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he intends to take to increase the availability of staff at DSS offices in response to the increase in applications for benefit; and if he will make a statement.

Miss Widdecombe

The staff resource allocation to DSS offices is based on a system which takes account of workload forecasts. The benefit agency monitors these forecasts and the staffing allocation and determines what action is necessary in respect of any changes. Account is taken of both increases and decreases in benefit workloads as some changes can be partly or wholly offset against others.