§ 37. Mr. CaplinTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on Government actions to improve the quality of service delivery in the social security system during the last year. [42965]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyImproved service delivery is central to our approach to welfare reform. Our services must actively help people to move off welfare and into work.
In December 1997, we launched our Active Modern Service programme to transform Social Security by building a system that commands the support and confidence of those who use it, those who administer it and those who fund it, providing a better, simpler, more efficient service to clients.
The focus of our effort will be to provide services that clients need. We will achieve a much better outcome if we include them in the debate. On 18 June 1998, we will be speaking to client representatives to begin to tell them of our plans and consult them about the way forward.
Much has begun to be put in place, enhanced quality of service delivery by improving decision making, closer working initiatives with Local Authorities, pilots to test the automatic delivery of benefit for pensioners and personal advisors for Lone Parents and the Disabled.