§ 20. Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on delays in payments by Benefits Agency offices. [93768]
§ Mr. RookerThe Benefits Agency is meeting most of its targets for the payment of benefits. In the recent past, some delays in paying benefits have been caused by complications arising from the introduction of the National Insurance Recording System (NIRS2). The majority of problems have now been resolved. Regrettably claims for Widows Benefit are still affected and the contingency arrangements in place take longer than normal to process.