HC Deb 15 February 1993 vol 219 cc96-7W
9. Mr. Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the administration of claims for disability living allowance.

Mr. Scott

Introducing disability living allowance at a stroke was always going to be a difficult task. But since April 1992, the Benefits Agency has received over 1.25 million claims to disability living allowance and attendance allowance. Almost 1.2 million of these have been cleared and over 800,000 awards of benefit have been made.

17. Mr. Steen

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to introduce any initiatives to speed the delivery of the disability living allowance to recipients.

Mr. Scott

The Benefits Agency, which is responsible for the administration of disability living allowance, is reviewing the procedures for processing claims, setting up additional processing centres and increasing the training of staff.

Mr. Cryer

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to complete the review of the disability living allowance care component for Mr. Trevor Fowler, applied for on 22 October 1992.

Mr. Scott

The administration of disability living allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Bob Cryer, dated 12 February 1993. As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security, about Mr. Trevor Fowler's application for review of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) care component made on 22 October 1992. I am pleased to tell you that the outstanding action was completed on Mr. Fowler's case on 10 February 1993 and the Disability Living Allowance Unit (DLAU) have already written to you separately and in greater detail about this. The delay has resulted from the heavy volumes of work following the successful launch of the new benefit. Latterly delays were due to the backlog of reviews which had been building up. You will be aware from my letter of 19 October 1992 to all MPs of the problems the Benefits Agency has faced since the launch of DLA and the positive steps I have taken to improve the situation. Further steps taken to recruit additional, and redeploy existing, staff to clear the backlog of reviews. I am sorry for the delay in dealing with Mr. Fowler's case. Mr. Fowler has clearly not received the standard of service to which he is entitled from the Agency. Such matters are not taken lightly when they fail to come up to the standard of service the Benefits Agency is trying to give all its customers and I offer my sincere apologies to Mr. Fowler for any distress and inconvenience caused by the delays. I hope that you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.