§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pension credit personal direct mail packs have so far been distributed; and of that number how many (i) successful and (ii) unsuccessful claims have been made. [122693]
§ Malcolm WicksI refer the hon. Member to the oral answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Perth (Annabelle Ewing) on 9 June 2003,Official Report, columns 394–95. The first of the quarterly progress reports on pension credit will be published later in July. A copy will be placed in the Library.
§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures he has put in place to ensure that pension credit will function effectively when it is introduced in October. [123980]
§ Malcolm WicksPreparations for the implementation of pension credit from October 2003 are well advanced. We have recruited extra staff and invested in new infrastructure to meet the additional demands of the new entitlement and we are making best use of the phased take-on period leading up to October to prove our systems and learn from experience before the main take-on begins. An existing tried and tested computer system will be used to make payments from October. The freephone application line is already fully operational and taking advance applications. We are also working with our partner organisations at national and local level to encourage eligible people to take up their entitlement. Our phased approach to take-on will608W ensure that the Pension Service is able to deliver pension credit successfully while continuing to deliver its existing range of services.
§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenHow many pensioners in Blackpool he expects to benefit from the introduction of the pension credit. [123533]
§ Mr. PondWe cannot estimate how many pensioners in Blackpool will be eligible for Pension Credit, but her 7,400 pensioners receiving the minimum income guarantee in October 2003 will automatically receive Pension Credit.