HC Deb 07 May 1996 vol 277 cc97-8W
Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to make changes to the Benefits Agency out-of-hours emergency payments service. [27831]

In-work expenditure from 1980–81 to 1987–88
£ million
1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88
FIS/family credit 42 66 94 123 126 130 161 180
Disability working allowance 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Housing benefit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Community charge benefit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Council tax benefit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 42 66 94 123 126 130 161 180

In-work expenditure from 1988–89 to 1994–95
£ million
1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95
FIS/Family credit 394 425 494 626 929 1,208 1,441
Disability working allowance 0 0 0 0 3 7 11
Housing benefit 0 0 340 395 525 600 700
Community charge benefit 0 0 170 80 95 0 0
Council tax benefit 0 0 0 0 0 130 140
Total 394 425 1,004 1,101 1,552 1,945 2,292

Notes:

1. Amounts expressed in cash prices.

2. Amounts for housing benefit, community charge benefit and council tax benefit include expenditure on recipients who work, but who also get income support.

Source:

1. Social Security Department report 1995–96 and its predecessors.

2. Housing benefit management system annual inquiry (sample 1 per cent.).

Mr. Roger Evans

This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter form Peter Mathison to Mr. Chris Smith, dated 2 May 1996:

The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what plans he has to make changes to the Benefits Agency (BA) out-of-hours emergency payments service.

As you will be aware I recently outlined the BA's plans for the future delivery of social security benefits based on the BA vision of "right money to the right person at the right time, every time".

It is against this background that the Agency decided to review the need for the out of hours service and the London Emergency Office which provides a service to customers at night and weekends. A decision on its viability is expected later this year.

I hope you find this reply helpful.