---

Dept of Social Security

Answer

Mr. Roy Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will take steps to speed up the benefits appeals procedure. [7980] Mr. Roger Evans: We have done so. The benefits appeals procedure is constantly under review and I hold regular meetings with officials. The Independent Tribunal Service, through its change programme, continues to look for ways to improve clearance times. We introduced regulations, which came into force on 21 October, amending the appeals process which should help to reduce the time it takes to clear appeals. Among other changes they aim to reduce confusion by requiring a specified form to be used when appealing and specifying the information which has to be given by the appellant; streamline the administration of appeals by providing for oral hearings only at the request of an interested party or the chairman of a tribunal, otherwise paper hearings, and reducing the minimum notice of an oral hearing to seven days for all jurisdictions except child support; relieve the burden on tribunal chairman by allowing the clerk to the tribunal to make certain decisions, such as postponements, amend the circumstances in which an appeal may be struck out for want of prosecution and the circumstances in which these appeals may be reinstated, and allow for the issue of a summary decision, with a full decision available on request.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

7980; 287 c753-4W

Session

1996-97

Subjects

Appeals Administrative delays Government departments Forms Social security Standards Social Security Appeal Tribunal Independent Tribunal Service