§ Mr. Simon ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what research has been undertaken into the preferred methods by pensioners of accessing pensions advice; and if he will make a statement. [72188]
§ Mr. McCartneyA number of research projects have been undertaken by the Department and other organisations looking at pensioners' preferred methods of obtaining advice and of claiming pensions and benefits. The research published by the Department is listed below and copies of the reports are available in the Library.
In 2001 the Department commissioned BMRB International to carry out a large scale survey of peoples' attitudes to electronic methods of conducting benefits business. The survey topics include pensioners' current and preferred methods of applying for benefits and pensions. Findings from the research will be published in the autumn.
Bunt K., Adams L. and Vivian D. (2000) Evaluation of the Pension Power For You Helpline, DSS Research report No. 121, CDS, LeedsBunt K., Adams L. and Vivian D. (2000) The Pension Power For You Helpline: Final report, DSS In-house report No.70Chang, D., Spicer, N., Irving, A., Sparham, I. and Neeve, L. (2001), The Better Government For Older People Prototypes, DSS Research report No. 136, CDS, LeedsRose, T. (1999) Modernising Service Delivery: The Integrated Services Prototype. DSS Research report 104, Corporate Document Services, LeedsStafford, B., Kellard, K. and Horsley, E. (1997) Customer Contact with the Benefits Agency DSS Research report 65, Corporate Document Services, Leeds.