§ 52. Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent his Department is encouraging the take-up of social security benefits.
§ Mr. NewtonThe Department has taken several measures over the last year to improve the information and advice available to the public and thereby encourage the take-up of benefit. In addition to a programme of general advertising, there have been local initiatives in several parts of the country. These include the secondment of local office staff to social services departments, an experiment with a "benefits bus" a mobile information service and the visiting of adult training centres by local office staff.
In addition, I was glad to launch DHSS freefone service on 11 April making advice by telephone on social security benefits available in all parts of the country except for the London postal districts, to which we hope to extend the service next year. We are also re—designing many of our forms to make them clear and effective. Other measures are being taken in respect of particular benefits, including, as part of the preparation for the introduction of severe disablement allowance, writing to 75,000 potential recipients of non—contributory invalidity pension inviting a claim.