§ Lord Smith of Leighasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will consider allowing certain councils to administer local benefit offices of the Department for Work and Pensions to achieve greater efficiency and improvement in the take up of benefits. [HL1482]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Hollis of Heigham)The department aims to work closely with local authorities, where appropriate, in order to reduce duplication and improve the service offered to customers. There are, however, no plans to allow local authorities to administer local benefit offices on behalf of the department.