§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether local Pension Service staff have IT facilities(a) to view customers' details and (b) to record ongoing action on the Pension Service database whilst conducting (i) a home visit and (ii) a surgery; what the average time taken for the appropriate pension centre (A) to input this information and (B) to amend existing records on the main database is; and if he will make a statement. [160354]
§ Malcolm WicksCurrently The Pension Service local service staff do not have the IT facilities to enable electronic access to customer benefit details or to record ongoing action while conducting a home visit or surgery.
Local service staff do have access to laptop computers and a programme is underway to provide all DWP laptop users with secure remote access to the full IT facilities, including customer benefit details.
1031WPrior to any booked appointment the local service member of staff will preview the customer's details and take any necessary information to the visit or surgery. During the visit or surgery if further information is required staff are equipped with mobile telephones with which they can contact their office for assistance.
The Pension Service does not collect information on each stage of its processing. The organisation has published its handling targets in The Pension Service Business Plan for 2003–04.