§ Ms StuartTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she will publish the thirteenth annual report of the Chief Adjudication Officer; and if she will make a statement. [9607]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyThe report published today records some welcome improvement in the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service in standards of decision making. Whilst overall the improved performance of last year has been maintained, the report makes clear that there is still much to be done.
The Social Security Bill introduced on 10 July is a key step towards building a modern welfare state using new technology to develop improved benefit processes. The Bill makes provision for the simplification of decision making and appeals.
The report describes favourably the numerous initiatives that the Agencies have introduced to tackle weaknesses and improve their overall performance. But the decision making and appeals framework at present works against the decision makers. Despite the valuable help the Agencies get from the Chief Adjudication Officer and his staff, the system is too cumbersome, over-legalistic and prevents the use of modem technology.
The Social Security Bill will create a framework which enables the Agencies to make decisions in a more straightforward way. The decisions made will be more accurate and easier for both the decision makers and customers to understand.