HC Deb 17 March 2004 vol 419 cc319-21W
Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Pension Credit recipients have reported a significant and material change in their circumstances in each month since October 2003; and of these, how many subsequently(a) have had their claims reassessed, (b) have had their awards (i) increased, (ii) decreased and (iii) withdrawn and (c) are still waiting for their notifications to be processed. [160350]

Malcolm Wicks

The information is not available in the form requested. The table shows numbers of changes reported by Pension Credit recipients between October 2003 and January 2004, rounded to the nearest five. The numbers of 'changes reported' and 'changes outstanding' include all changes reported by customers, including some which required no action. The numbers of 'changes processed' include any change which required action. These include some minor changes, such as a change in address, which did not affect a customer's award. The number of changes currently outstanding is considered to be a normal head of work.

Information on the outcome of reported changes is not currently available.

Pension credit: changes of circumstances reported by customers—October 2003 to January 2004
October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004
Changes reported 203,905 273,740 254,705 396,295
Changes processed 108,765 215,055 202,540 413,105
Changes outstanding 96,370 155,050 207,220 190,410

Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Pension Credit applications have been made(a) through the pension credit application line, (b) in writing, (c) via the internet, (d) through a home visit, (e) through a local Pension Service surgery and (f) by another method. [160353]

Malcolm Wicks

A total of 841,000 Pension Credit applications had been received by 29 February. Of these, 703,000 were made through the Pension Credit application line and 138,000 were made on a paper application form obtained by some other means. Of the latter, 58,000 were made as a result of a home visit. It is not possible to say how many applications were made through a local service surgery. Applications for Pension Credit cannot be made via the internet, although the application form can be downloaded from the Pension Service website.

Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 1,000.

Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received concerning shortage, of paper versions of the Pension Credit application pack; what discussions he has held with affected organisations; and if he will make a statement. [160676]

Malcolm Wicks

We have received no such representations this year and there is no shortage of Pension Credit paper application packs. In January, the Chief Executive of The Pension Service wrote to the Chief Executives of Age Concern, Citizens Advice, Help the Aged, the Local Government Association, the RNIB and the RNID to explain that supplies of paper applications packs are available through the local service of The Pension Service and that the application form can be downloaded from The Pension Service website. There will be a new version of the application pack from April.

Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 23 February 2004,Official Report, column 320W, on Pension Credit, how many home visits involving Pension Credit have been undertaken in each local authority cluster in each month since the Pension Service was created. [160510]

Malcolm Wicks

The information is not available in precisely the form requested. Tables have been placed in the Library showing the number of home visits undertaken by the local service of The Pension Service in each local service cluster in Great Britain between April 2003 and January 2004. All visits undertaken since April 2003 have covered pension credit. Work is in hand to revise local service cluster boundaries to align them with local authority boundaries.