Tavistock Institute Report

HC Deb 01 February 1983 vol 36 cc80-1W

Mr. Race

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to implement the recommendations of the Tavistock Institute report of January 1982 "Stress and Satisfaction for Social Security Officers and Claimants".

Mr. Newton

Since making its report the Tavistock Institute has submitted "action research" proposals to the Department, which has asked the institute to submit a shortened version of the proposals for further consideration. In the meantime, those of the report's recommendations which have a wider application are being followed up as part of the Department's management priority of improving service to the public.

A number of steps already taken—for example, the introduction of a postal claim form for the unemployed claiming supplementary benefit—assist in meeting objectives mentioned by the report; and its ideas will also be taken into account in the current study of problems in inner-city DHSS offices.