§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to restore the free phone national benefit inquiry line; and what assessment she has made of the impact of the withdrawal of the free phone national benefit inquiry line on the take-up of income-related benefits. [11112]
§ Mr. Keith Bradley[holding answer 29 July 1997]: We will streamline services to provide better, simpler more efficient services to claimants and other customers. There are no plans to restore the Benefits Agency freeline service. Queries on operational matters are for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 31 July 1997:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the Benefits Agency Freeline service.There are no plans to restore the Benefits Agency Freeline. Advice and information about benefit entitlement is available through the Agency's network of local benefit offices. Benefit literature is readily available in local offices, post offices and numerous other outlets.As part of the changes required to deliver a modern service to the public we will look again at the availability of freephone and local rate telephone services.591WAdvice and information on benefits for the disabled, their representatives and carers is available from the Benefit Enquiry Line. The freephone number is 0800 882200.There was no monitoring of the take up of income related benefits when the Freeline was open and there is no evidence to suggest that the closure of the service has had any material impact on the take up of these benefits.I hope you find this reply helpful.