§ Mr. SillarsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the reasons for the delay in the social security commissioners working on cases submitted in July 1989.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have been asked to reply.
The last-minute surge of appeals under the pre-April 1988 benefits legislation took some time to work its way through the appeal system and caused a bottleneck at the Office of the Social Security Commissioners (OSSC) in 1989. This and the general increase in work load in 1989, combined with staff recruitment and retention difficulties, resulted in continuing delays at OSSC. In addition, an increasing proportion of appeals to the commissioners have become more complex and take longer to determine individually.
In view of the continuing delays, the Lord Chancellor's Department's manpower auditors are currently looking at the organisation and staffing levels of OSSC to see whether further steps can be taken to improve efficiency and reduce the delays.
The commissioners have powers to expedite hearings in exceptional circumstances. Appellants may seek expedition by applying to OSSC.