HC Deb 27 October 1982 vol 29 c429W
44. Mr. Tilley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will increase the staffing levels in social security offices.

Mr. Newton:

I have recently sent the hon. Member a copy of a paper describing the DHSS system for complementing local offices. The latest flexible manning review has revealed that workloads and the number of staff needed on the contributory benefits side have gone down, and that at the same time workloads and the level of staffing needed on the supplementary benefits side have increased by a commensurate amount. Therefore, although there will be no overall increase in staffing levels, steps are being taken to switch more staff on to supplementary benefits work.