§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what preparations he has made to ensure that the IT systems within his Department will be able to cope with the new weekly benefit saving rules that are due to be implemented next year; and what representations he has received on this issue. [139122]
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§ Angela EagleThe Department administers the payments of subsidy to local authorities by means of a combination of micro (PC) and mainframe computer systems. The first payments for the "new weekly benefit saving rules" will be made in August 2001 (payments under the new scheme will be made quarterly, in arrears). The Department is currently considering the programming changes needed to meet the requirements of the new scheme and these will be implemented well in advance of the first payment date.