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Dept for Work and Pensions

Answer

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pension service surgeries have been (a) cancelled and (b) earmarked for cancellation in Scotland as part of his Department's efficiency programme. [217080] Malcolm Wicks: No local service information points, previously termed surgeries, have been cancelled nor are there any current plans to cancel local service information points as a direct result of the Department's efficiency programme. At a local level, information points are subject to constant evaluation to ensure their viability and effectiveness. This means that information points may be withdrawn or be relocated depending on changing demands in the locality. The fact that an information point is useful today does not mean that it always will be. This is not new, is not related to the efficiency challenge and will continue to be a feature of the Pension Service local service operations. The Pension Service will continue to meet the needs of customers by providing a wider range of different service offerings within information points (either on our own or in conjunction with our partners) supported by the telephony service offered by our pension centres and the face to face service offered by local service and partners.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

217080; 431 c916W;431 c912W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Advisory services Information Pensions Location Scotland Pension Service

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk