Local Offices (Hansard, 17 March 1993)

§ Mr. Burt

The administration of the Benefits Agency is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive. He will reply to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Letter from Michael Bichard to Dr. Norman Godman, dated 15 March 1993: As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking what plans he has to increase the number of those employed in the Benefits Agency offices in Greenock and Port Glasgow. Resource allocations for the next financial year for Greenock and Port Glasgow, which form the district of Clyde Coast and Cowal, have not been decided and so it is not yet possible to indicate whether staffing levels are likely to increase in these offices. It may prove helpful if I outline the timetable for allocating resources and give a broad indication of when the information you have asked for will be available. Indicative allocations were issued to District Managers and Area Directors in February and final allocations will be made before the end of March. Part of all districts' allocations are made to Area Directors who are responsible for agreeing with District Managers how these resources should be distributed. Decisions will be made during April/May on the Area Director's allocation to districts. It will then be for District Managers to decide on staffing levels for the different offices within their district. The level of resources allocated to districts is subject to continuous review throughout the year as workloads or other factors change. This can result in adjustments being made to staffing levels after initial allocations have been agreed. I have asked the manager of Clyde Coast and Cowal district to write to you with planned staffing levels, for the next financial year, as soon as decisions have been reached. I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this letter will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also appear in the Library.