§ Mr. FitzpatrickTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Social Security Agency for the current financial year. [40731]
§ Mr. WorthingtonThe targets are in line with the objective of improving the service provided to customers and fully support the Active Modern Service principles laid down for public services. I am satisfied that the targets represent a demanding challenge for the Agency.
188WThe targets will be included in the Agency's 1998–99 Strategic and Business Plan, which is due for publication this month. A copy of the Plan will be placed in the library. The targets are as follows:
1. Benefit Accuracy
Disability Living Allowance
to pay the correct amount in at least 85% of cases.
Family Credit
to pay the correct amount in at least 94% of cases.
Incapacity Benefit
to pay the correct amount in at least 98% of cases.
Income Support
to pay the correct amount in at least 87% of cases.
Jobseeker's Allowance
to pay the correct amount in at least 87% of cases.
2. Customer Satisfaction1
of customers to regard the Agency's service as satisfactory or better.
3. Financial Recovery
recovery of overpayments—£2.9 million.
benefit savings from detection and prevention of fraud—£14.4 million.
sign-offs as a result of anti-activity—4,600.
Class I contributions identified as underpaid to the National Insurance Fund—£1.70 million.
Collection of Contributions owing to the National Insurance Fund—£2.05 million.
4. Resource Management
to achieve cash efficiency savings of the order of £3.3 million.
1 The customer satisfaction target is presently measured by independent survey and usually covers a two year period, in this case 1997–98 and 1998–99. It will be measured again early in 1999.