§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam of 6 November 2001,Official Report, columns 195–96W, on "Removing the Barriers", if he will specify improvements which have been introduced as a result of the report's recommendations. [14617]
§ Malcolm Wicks[holding answer 14 November 2001]: We consider carefully the findings of reports such as "Removing the Barriers". While the welfare reforms the Government have, and continue to make, have not been made as a specific result of concerns expressed in this particular report, they address many of the concerns raised.
The report concluded that there was a need for a co-ordinated approach to the provision of welfare services and that central and local government needed to share common objectives. We are committed to working together with the Local Government Association and have already agreed a framework for the conduct of relations between central and local government. Among the many things the framework embraces is a commitment to reflect both local and national priorities and the views of local communities.
The new pension service will also be based on working in close partnership with local authorities, particularly to encourage the take-up of benefits for older people. Officials met with the local government association on 24 October to discuss how these proposals can be taken forward.