HC Deb 20 November 2000 vol 357 c67W
Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 22 June 2000,Official Report, column 254W, what is the average time taken to process Housing Benefit claims by Chelmsford Borough Council; and what proportion of new claims for which all the relevant information has been provided are not dealt with within the 14 day guidelines to process applications. [139076]

Angela Eagle

The information requested about the average time taken to process Housing Benefit claims is not currently available. So far very limited information has been provided by local authorities on performance against Best Value indicators for the period April to June 2000. This information is currently being considered and analysed by the Department. Full year results will not be available until late summer 2001.

Between April 1999 and March 2000, the latest period for which data are available, Chelmsford Borough council cleared 57 per cent. of its new Housing Benefit claims within 14 days of receipt of all necessary information.

Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 22 June 2000, Official Report, column 254W, on Housing Benefit, what is the average length of time taken to determine new Housing Benefit claims by each local authority in England. [139075]

Angela Eagle

The information requested is not currently available. So far very limited information has been provided by local authorities on performance against Best Value indicators for the period April to June 2000. This information is currently being considered and analysed by the Department. Full year results will not be available until late summer 2001.