§ Mr. SwireTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the average time for dealing with a complaint to the Pensions Ombudsman was in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–01 and (e) in the current year; [114030]
(2) how many complaints the Parliamentary Ombudsman received in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 2000–01, (d) 2001–02 and (e) this year; [114031]
(3) how many (a) investigators and (b) solicitors the Pensions Ombudsman has to investigate complaints. [114032]
§ Maria EagleThe Pensions Ombudsman currently employs 15 investigators of whom five are legally qualified. In addition to this a small number of lawyers are used on a "fee per case" basis.
The information requested on average clearance times and number of complaints are in the following tables. The information on the year 2002–03 is not available. The Pension Ombudsman's annual 2002–03 report, which will be published later this year, will contain data that assesses performance using different criteria and consequently will not be directly comparable.
Average time for dealing with a complaint Months From acceptance to completion Once formal investigation begins 1997–98 12.7 7.3 1998–99 11.0 7.3 1999–2000 8.8 6.8 2000–01 5.7 4.7 2001–02 8.5 6.9
Complaints received Inquiries Accepted cases 1997–98 2,328 729 1998–99 3,067 719 1999–2000 3,269 627 2000–01 3,215 911 2001–02 2,946 831 Source:
Pensions Ombudsman annual reports 1997–2002