HC Deb 03 March 1997 vol 291 cc530-2W
Ms Harman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the unit cost for processing claims for(a) income support, (b) income support for lone parents, (c) income support for pensioners, (d) child benefit, (e) family credit, (f) the basic state pension, (g) incapacity benefit and (h) contributory jobseeker's allowance; and (i) means-tested jobseeker's allowance; [18236]

(2) what is the unit cost for processing claims for (a) income support, (b) income support for lone parents, (c) income support for pensioners, (d) child benefit, (e) family credit, (f) the basic state pension,(g) incapacity benefit, (h) contributory jobseeker's allowance and (i) means-tested jobseeker's allowance in Yorkshire; [18232]

(3) what is the unit cost for processing claims for (a) income support, (b) income support for lone parents, (c) income support for pensioners, (d) child benefit, (e) family credit, (f) the basic state pension, (g) incapacity benefit,(h)contributory jobseeker's allowance and(i)means-tested jobseeker's allowance in Wales. [18233]

Mr. Roger Evans

The information is not available in the format requested. The Department publishes figures for the average weekly administration cost per beneficiary, for the main benefits, in its annual departmental report. The report for 1996–97 is due to be published shortly.

Ms Harman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the unit cost for handling inquiries by claimants in person in Benefits Agency offices for(a) income support, (b) income support for lone parents, (c) income support for pensioners, (d) child benefit, (e) family credit, (f) the basic state pension, (g) incapacity benefit, (h) contributory jobseeker's allowance and (i) means-tested jobseeker's allowance. [18235]

Mr. Evans

The information is not available in the format requested.

The average unit cost, excluding overheads, for dealing with a caller in the Benefits Agency is £1.84.

Ms Harman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the unit cost for handling inquiries from claimants by telephone for(a) income support, (b) income support for lone parents, (c) income support for pensioners, (d) child benefit, (e) family credit, (f) the basic state pension, (g) incapacity benefit, (h) contributory jobseeker's allowance and (i) means-tested jobseeker's allowance. [18234]

Mr. Evans

The information is not available.