§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much has been spent in the Johnstone office of the Benefits Agency on(a) floor coverings, (b) furnishings and (c) fabric improvements in each year since 1985; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeExpenditure incurred by this Department since 1985 has been as follows:
Floor coverings £ Furnishings £ Fabric improvements (internal redecoration) £ 1985–86 Nil Nil Nil 1986–87 Nil Nil Nil 1987–88 Nil Nil Nil 1988–89 Nil Nil 9,200 1989–90 21,500 26,451 1,000 1990–91 Nil 12,021 Nil
§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much has been spent on extending or improving the Johnstone office of the Benefits Agency in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.
198W
Income support Income support claims Social fund application Income support load Income support/ Social fund callers April 1987–88 7,680 18,534 7,996 Not available April 1988–89 6,632 17,812 7,265 4,355 April 1989–90 6,749 17,489 7,166 5,332 April 1990–91 5,527 23,519 7,010 5,732
§ Miss WiddecombeInformation for the years prior to 1985–86 is not readily available.
The amounts spent by this Department on extending or improving the Johnstone office of the Benefits Agency in each of the financial years since 1985–86 are:
£ 1985–86 1,821 1986–87 734 1987–88 3,501 1988–89 1,084 1989–90 48,998 1990–91 17,048 Notes:
1. Figures prior to April 1988 do not include any works projects over £2,500, which were the responsibility of the Department of the Environment.
2. These figures do not include the amounts spent on floor coverings, furnishings and fabric improvements.
§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the total population eligible to use the Johnstone office of the Benefits Agency in each year since 1985; and if he will make a statement;
(2) how many claimants were dealt with from the Johnstone office of the Benefits Agency in each year since 1985; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what is the effect of the Benefits Agency review on the operation of its office in Johnstone; what amendments to its operations have been made; what future proposals are intended for implementation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeStatistics were obtained from the Strathclyde regional council to aid service planning and give the projected population of the Renfrew district, considered to be the most relevant.
In 1986 the actual figure was 203,220 with a projected change to 201,258, 200,805, 200,391, 200,008 and 199,644 in the years 1987 to 1991. The figures for 1985 are not available.
It is impossible to say how many customers are dealt with by any office of the Benefits Agency in any year. Contact can be made by post, by telephone or by visit and detailed figures are not held. The table, covering the main benefits, gives an indication of the numbers in contact with the Johnstone office over the period. Figures prior to 1987 are not available.
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Contributory benefits Short-term benefit/Maternity benefit claims Retirement pension/Widow's pension claims Short-term benefits load (average) Contributory benefit callers April 1987–88 2,071 971 3,915 15,569 April 1988–89 1,938 900 3,944 14,962 April 1989–90 2,045 1,001 4,303 14,725 April 1990–91 2,156 862 4,837 15,997 With the formation of the Benefits Agency, Paisley ILO and Johnstone ILO—previously separately managed independent units—were combined to form the Renfrew district. Currently at Johnstone are income support, liable relatives, direct payment, overpayments, social fund crisis loans and part of finance sections.
Future proposals are the responsibility of Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.