§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many freephone lines are operated by his Department; what trends are evident in the level of provision and use; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe freeline social security service provides general benefits information on 125 lines at 10 centres throughout Great Britain. The service is provided in Punjabi, Urdu and Welsh as well as English. The following specialist freeline services are also provided: social security advice line for employers; family credit freeline; Gulf crisis freeline; benefit advice line for people with disabilities.
The Department's freeline services have been regularly expanded and modernised since their 1984 launch and altogether are now taking more than 2 million calls per year. They are important and successful parts of the Department's information and advice service.