PRESS RELEASE

COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

30 April 2009

SD 03/08/09

COMMITTEE GIVES CAUTIOUS WELCOME TO JOBS AND BENEFITS OFFICES REVIEW

Improved access to social security benefits and good customer service must be top of the agenda for the Department for Social Development. That’s the message from the Assembly’s Social Development Committee as it considered revisions to the Department’s Strategic Business Review of jobs and benefits offices.

The Committee Chair, Mr David Simpson MP, MLA said: “The Committee has lobbied hard for changes to the Social Security Agency’s plans and is pleased that the Department has reconsidered and implemented some of the Committee’s recommendations.

“The economic downturn presents real challenges to ordinary hard-working people who have never used the benefits systems before. If these people find themselves out of work, it is essential that the jobs and benefits network is there to meet their immediate needs and help them back into employment. The Committee wants to make sure that the Strategic Business Review makes this happen efficiently and in a manner that is fair to social security staff.

“The Committee welcomes the establishment of jobs and benefit office hubs in each of the new enlarged council areas. It is anticipated that this will provide appropriate jobs and benefit office coverage while greatly limiting commuting distances for staff. The Committee will scrutinize carefully the outworking of the proposed pilot scheme (to be centred in Ballymena) for new additional telephony and appointment arrangements and enhanced staff training.

“It’s hard to see an immediate improvement in the economic situation. Until that happens and in view of the implementation of wider benefit reform, the Committee will be anxious to ensure that there is more and better face-to-face access and appropriate support for all social security claimants. The general public should be assured that the Committee is intent on maintaining necessary social security services during these difficult times”

The Chair was speaking after the weekly Social Development Committee meeting at Stormont at which officials from the Social Security Agency were questioned by Committee Members.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Committee Information:

Committee Membership: Mr David Simpson MP (DUP) (Chairperson); Mr David Hilditch (DUP) (Deputy Chairperson); Mr Billy Armstrong (UUP); Mr Mickey Brady (SF); Mr Thomas Burns (SDLP); Mr Jonathan Craig (DUP); Ms Anna Lo (ALL); Mr Alban Maginness (SDLP); Mr Fra McCann (SF); Ms Caral Ni Chuilin (SF); Miss Michelle McIlveen (DUP).

Media enquiries to:
Debra Savage ,
Press Office, Parliament Buildings, Belfast. BT4 3XX
Tel. 028 90521405 Mobile 07920 864221
Email: debra.savage@niassembly.gov.uk

Website archive.niassembly.gov.uk