§ 28. Mr. St. AubynTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on delays in the calculation and the making of payments to new pensioners. [111860]
§ Mr. RookerMost State Pensions are being paid to new pensioners within the normal clearance target timescales. The National Insurance Recording System computer (NIRS2) is providing the information to enable the Benefits Agency to invite people approaching pension age to claim their pension and to process the claim on receipt.
However, NIRS2 cannot provide the additional pension (SERPS) component of the pension award in all cases. The Benefits Agency has put in place contingency arrangements to make clerical calculations in these cases. Extra staff have been provided for this.