§ Mr. WatsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what training has been provided for local staff in handling the problems associated with 16 and 17-year-old applicants following the closure of the severe hardship unit in Glasgow; and what other additional resources have been made available to assist staff to deal with the changes which result;
(2) what savings he expects to accrue to his Department as a result of the closure of the severe hardship unit in Glasgow.
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Mike Watson, dated 28 April 1994:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions concerning suggestions that the Severe Hardship Claims Unit (SHCU) in Glasgow is being closed. The SHCU unit is not being closed, but there is to be a change in emphasis away from the SHCU to the Benefits Agency (BA) Districts.Following the comments in the 8th Report of the Social Security Advisory Committee, recommendations were made about the claims procedures for discretionary awards for 16/17 year old customers. As a result, from the 4 April 1994 decisions on the majority of these claims will be made by locally based BA staff, rather than by contacting the SHCU. The SHCU will, however, be required to make decisions on the more complex cases and those where the District Office feel that a severe hardship payment should not be made.Before the process of devolving this work commenced, training for the handling of this type of claim was revised. All staff authorised to make decisions about the award of benefit to 16/17 year old customers must complete the new training package before they can carry out these duties. To ensure that all staff are fully trained the SHCU is providing a complete service to all offices until 2 May 1994. In addition, further guidance is available in the form of a Handbook, "Income Support for 16/17 year olds" which has been recently revised and updated. The revised Handbook was issued to all of the BA's District Offices in March 1994 and a copy of it has been placed in the House of Commons Library.There will be no increase in the workload for locally based BA staff, but in fact a small administrative saving, calculated to be 10 staff years. Instead of having to contact the SHCU in Glasgow, staff will make decisions locally immediately following an interview, thereby leading to an improved service for 16/17 year olds.I hope you find this reply helpful.