§ Mr. Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what will be the minimum period needed for administrative purposes between the announcement of upratings and the beginning of the benefit year when the computerisation of his Department's records is complete;
(2) what would be the minimum period needed for administrative purposes between the announcement of upratings and the beginning of the benefit year when the computerisation of his Department's records is complete if all social security benefits were paid by ACT.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe minimum period needed for administrative purposes between the uprating announce-ment and the beginning of the benefit year is 23 weeks. The 20 week renewal cycle for order hooks, and the three week period required for the selection of order books, will not be affected by the full computerisation of the Department's records. This renewal process is already fully computerised for pensions.
There are no plans to make payment by ACT compulsory. Therefore, while order books remain in use, the minimum period needed between the uprating announcement and the beginning of the benefit year will continue to be 23 weeks.