§ Mr. Alasdair MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much was spent in(a) Scotland, (b) Dumfries and Galloway and (c) Galloway and Upper Nithsdale parliamentary constituency on increasing benefit take-up in each of the last five years. [124719]
§ Mr. BayleyNo specific allocation was made to the Benefits Agency either nationally or locally for increasing benefit take-up. However, we have recently launched a national take-up campaign for the minimum income guarantee. Around £15 million will be spent over the course of the campaign, which includes intense activity on a number of fronts. This includes television advertising, writing to around two million pensioners and a new tele-claims centre which allows pensioners to make a claim over the telephone.