§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what representations he has received from local government ombudsmen in England, Wales and Scotland about the administrative complexity of the housing benefit and council tax benefit systems; [12947]
(2) what plans he has to discuss with local government ombudsmen in England, Wales or Scotland the administrative complexity of the housing benefit/council tax system. [12948]
§ Malcolm WicksIn the last year, the Department has received two reports from the Local Government Ombudsman in England. One concerned Housing Benefit claim form NHB 1 which is produced by the Department; the other referred to an apparent ambiguity in the Department's guidance to local authorities on operating the Verification Framework. No representations have been received in respect of Wales or Scotland.
Ministers and officials regularly meet with stakeholders in the Housing Benefit scheme and other interested parties to discuss issues of interest or concern. Such a meeting between one of our officials and one of the three Local Government Ombudsmen for England took place in April this year.