§ Sir Fergus MontgomeryTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he plans to conduct a review of the Benefits Agency; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LilleyUnder the terms of the original Benefits Agency framework document, provision was made for the review of the framework document by the Secretary of State. The status and organisation of all the next steps agencies are required to be periodically reviewed to establish whether further improvements in customer service and value for money can be made. I am accordingly authorising a review of the functions of the Benefits Agency to establish what future way of organising it will best support the cost-effective delivery of the social security benefits; serve the needs of those who use the benefits system; and improve value for money and security, in terms of both improved accuracy and fraud.
The review will cover the evaluation of the agency's performance; the reconsideration of the way in which its functions are organised; and the revision of the framework document as appropriate. The current organisational structure has worked well over the past three years and there have been significant improvements in performance and value for taxpayers' money since agency status was achieved. Our aim is to build on this success.
We shall be consulting customer representative groups to establish their views on the kind of service delivery they would like in the future. We shall also be asking business interests whether there is potential for private sector involvement in the Benefits Agency's work.
Comments and contributions from those with an interest in the Benefits Agency and its work will be welcome by 28 October 1994. Anyone who would like to comment is asked, in the first instance, to contact:
- Garvin Bowen
- Department of Social Security
- Euston Tower
- 286 Euston Road
- London
- NW1 3DN
I expect to announce my decisions on the review early next year.