§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what action is being taken to reduce the delays in assessing family credit.
§ Mr. PortilloClearance rates should improve as staff become more proficient and as more experienced staff are released from work on family income supplement now that the latter has come to an end. In the meantime, overtime is being worked and casual staff are being taken on to allow more of the permanent staff to concentrate on assessment work. In addition, further computer enhancements are due to come into effect shortly, which should improve administration, and consideration is being given to procedural changes which could speed up the action on cases which are most at risk of difficulties arising out of delays.
§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many times he has exercised his discretion under the Social Security (Payments on Account, Overpayments and Recovery) Regulations, part 11, paragraph 2(i); and how many times this was in respect of family credit.
§ Mr. PortilloInformation is not available about the making of interim payments of benefits generally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost. However, the discretion to make an interim payment on account of family credit has not been exercised.