§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many local authorities(a) have the Verification Framework in place and fully operational, (b) are implementing it at present and (c) have accepted funding and intend to implement it. [113187]
§ Angela EagleAt 3 March 2000, 140 local authorities had certified that, having received set-up funds from the Department, they are fully complying with all the requirements of the Department's Verification Framework. A further 102 local authorities have either already received funds or accepted the offer of funds to implement the Verification Framework fully and are at various stages of their implementation. 242 local authorities have accepted funds to implement the Verification Framework.