§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the average delay in Bradford between the receipt of an application for family credit and that application being determined; where information about family credit and forms and guidance notes to apply for family credit is available in Bradford; and in what languages this material is available;
(2) how many applicants in Bradford for family credit (a) have been accepted, (b) have been refused and (c) are still under consideration.
§ Mr. Peter LloydFamily credit is dealt with centrally, and information is not available on a local basis. Claim forms and leaflets are available at post offices and social security offices or by telephoning Freeline Social Security 0800 500 222. Information on all social security benefits is 293W also available by telephoning 0800 666 555. As with other departmental claim forms the family credit claim form is available in English only: people who have difficulty in completing the claim form because of this can seek help from the local social security office.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of families in Bradford are in receipt of family credit; what estimates about the level of take-up this represents have been made; and what action he is taking in Bradford to increase the take-up of family credit and to reduce delays in applications being determined.
§ Mr. Peter LloydFamily credit is dealt with centrally and information is not available on a local basis. For details of the measures we are taking to increase take-up I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. McCrindle) on 4 November at column810. For details of the measures we are taking to reduce delays in dealing with claims, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Dorset, North (Mr. Baker) on 9 November.