§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the 10th annual report of the Chief Adjudication Officer; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe report is being published today. The report's findings point to improvements in the quality of adjudication in the Benefits Agency, notably in the income support area. Standards within the Employment Service also showed some improvement.
The Benefits Agency and Employment Service are committed to better standards of adjudication as illustrated by the increased emphasis on quality in agency business plans for 1994–95. Both the CAO and I look forward to progress in coming years.
The report contains six recommendations to build on the progress which the agencies have made in improving adjudication standards.
These recommendations are being considered and there will be a formal response in due course.