§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what additional IT systems will be required in respect of the new pension credit; and how many additional staff he expects to employ. [22374]
§ Mr. McCartney[holding answer 11 December 2001]: Pension credit will be introduced initially on the Department's existing computer systems, in order to de-risk the project. It will transfer as a replacement system, on modernised IT, at a later date, when the new benefit has been successfully implemented.
906WThe pension service, to be launched in April 2002, will administer pension credit, ensuring that pensioners received a joined up service. The numbers of staff required to deliver this new service are still being finalised.