HC Deb 18 December 2003 vol 415 cc1087-8W
Annabelle Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to improve the operation of procedures for claiming(a) incapacity benefit and (b) disability living allowance. [142276]

Maria Eagle

We keep all of our procedures for claiming benefits under review and make changes where appropriate to existing processes and claim forms to ensure that all our customers receive the best possible service.

The Disability and Carers Service has embarked upon a major programme of process simplification and re-engineering, including substantially modernised information technology, which aims to produce a much improved service to its customers over the next three years. It is presently trialling an improved claim form for disability living allowance customers and expects to introduce an internet based claim form in 2004.