Written question asked by Andrew Dismore (Labour) on Thursday, 11 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 November 2004. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which pension service local clusters have been withdrawn; and what alternative arrangements are in place.

Answer: Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which pension service local clusters have been withdrawn; and what alternative arrangements are in place. [198406] Malcolm Wicks: Reclustering was a series of boundary changes to facilitate the delivery of a more efficient service to our customers. The principal rationale behind reclustering was the need for local service to become better aligned with its key local authority partners, and to streamline its management structures to ensure that as many local service resources as possible are focused on front line service delivery. This process involved some local service clusters merging with others none were withdrawn. As a percentage of the overall staffing for The Pension Service, the numbers for local service will proportionately make up a larger percentage of the overall organisation. Customers can expect to receive the same level of service and our ability to work in partnership with local authorities and the voluntary sector has not changed. Our customers will continue to contact the pension centres in the normal way through the 0845 6060265 number and should have no knowledge that the Local Service cluster may have changed. If there were changes that would affect the level of service to the customer, a communication would be issued to the customer and all key stakeholders such as hon. Members.

Secondary information