§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what market testing procedures have been undertaken by the Benefits Agency; and what has been their total cost.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe administration of market testing within the Benefits Agency is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits 297W Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Richard Burden, dated 19 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 market testing procedures have been undertaken by the Benefits Agency; and what has been their total cost.Market testing is being carried on services within the Benefits Agency (BA) according to the plans published in the Citizen's Charter White Paper "Competing for Quality". Each service area being market tested within BA has to date undertaken the following procedures:
- Set up Steering Groups.
- Set up In-house and Client side teams.
- Set up detailed monitoring and reporting arrangements.
- Undertaken a feasibility study.
- Developed their contract strategy.
As at 31 March 1993 the cost to BA of the market testing programme is £1,285,444.I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.