§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he is taking arising from the report on national insurance contributions which his permanent secretary agreed with the National Audit Office.
§ Mr. JackThe Department's official response and indications of any action required will form part of the evidence to be given by the Permanent Secretary on 20 November 1991 to the Public Accounts Committee. The formation of the Contributions Agency in April 1991 has already enabled the Department to improve the effectiveness of its management of contributions business by, among other things:
- (a) setting financial and business targets and providing an information system to monitor costs and progress
- (b) reorganising its operations to centralise contribution correction work which does not involve face-to-face contact with employers or contributors, achieving substantial efficiency savings and tighter control of queries;
- (c) developing a dedicated inspectorate with more, better-informed and better-trained staff able to tackle non-compliance, and provide guidance to employers, the self-employed and contributors to prevent errors; and
- (d) publicising its contributions business in employer and contributor charters and through conferences and surveys monitoring the agency's performance.
The Department already has in hand a substantial programme of action, which includes the specific issues raised by the NAO report.