HC Deb 08 November 1995 vol 265 cc1024-5W
Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to instruct his Department branch office to produce leaflets advising the homeless and those not eligible for income support and crisis loans of where to find soup kitchens and which provide the names of local charities where they may get assistance. [37259]

Mr. Roger Evans

The provision of leaflets on benefit related matters is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

Letter from Peter Mathison to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 8 November 1995:

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about what plans there are to instruct branch offices to produce leaflets advising the homeless and those not eligible for income support and crisis loans of where to find soup kitchens and which provide the names of local charities where they may get assistance.

The Benefits Agency has recently conducted a review of its service to homeless customers. A recommendation in the subsequent report was that 'a leaflet be produced for Advice Centres and Homeless customers clearly setting out the benefits available and the customer's responsibilities'.

We are currently co-ordinating action on the recommendations in the report. A leaflet is being developed for production by Benefits Agency Districts. This will include details of local services for homeless customers, including that of the type to which you refer.

We have set up three national conferences for Benefits Agency staff on Service Delivery to Homeless Customers, which will take place between November 20 and November 28 1995 and at which there will be input from the voluntary sector. The conferences will stress the importance of the leaflet initiative, amongst others, in providing a better service to homeless customers. As a follow up to the conferences, we plan to prepare 'a Good Practice Guide' which will be issued to all Districts.

I hope that you find this reply helpful.