HC Deb 18 September 2003 vol 410 c901W
Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff(a) from his Department and (b) not from his Department are available to undertake home visits to deal with (i) pension credit applications and (ii) all benefit applications. [128744]

Malcolm Wicks

Latest data show that there are 1,867 (whole time equivalent) field staff in The Pension Service local service who are available to undertake home visits. They handle applications for all benefits relating to older people, including pension credit. There are varying numbers of staff from organisations with whom we have partnering arrangements who are able to provide information about pension credit and other benefits.