§ Mr. Ian BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes have taken place in staff and premises since the ending of family credit; and what future changes are planned. [130007]
§ Angela EagleFamily Credit was centralised in the North West. Working Families Tax Credit replaced Family Credit from 5 October 1999. At the time, the majority of staff transferred to the Inland Revenue and they continued to use the same premises.
§ Mr. Ian BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what average time was taken from receipt of application to payment of benefit for family credit; and what was the average number of cases outstanding over the last year of its operation. [130004]
§ Angela EagleThe information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.
Information on clearance targets Percentage Target Achievement against target (April 1999 to September 1999) 60 per cent. of applications settled within 13 working days 83.7 95 per cent. of applications settled within 42 working days 98.9 90 per cent. of "express" applications settled within five working days 90.1 The average number of Family Credit cases outstanding in Great Britain during year ending September 1999 was 42,000.