Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 16 March (HL6171), even allowing for waiting times for the Future Pension Centre having been higher than expected, why calls from the public remain unanswered.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The DWP Futures Pension Centre helpline has experienced unprecedented levels of contact from customers considering whether to pay voluntary National Insurance Contributions (VNICS) before the deadline due to recent media publicity. To alleviate customer concerns about meeting the deadline for paying VNIC’s, HM Revenue & Customs has announced it will extend the deadline to pay these contributions until 31 July 2023. DWP have also provided additional resource directed to the telephony lines and will continue to review resourcing options to meet the current call demand.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the average wait time for calls to the Future Pension Centre helpline; and what steps they will take to improve the wait time.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Due to the unprecedented demand with the end of the tax year approaching, call waiting times for Futures Pension Centre helplines have been higher than expected. As a result of this, increased demand across both DWP and HM Revenue & Customs, and the impact on customer service levels, agreement has been reached to extend the period for payment of Voluntary National Insurance until 31 July 23. DWP anticipates this will reduce demand and improve average call wait times.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Leader of the House when Questions for Short Debate will be re-introduced as an item of business in the House.
Answered by Baroness Evans of Bowes Park
Subject to the progress of legislative business, it is expected that questions for short debate will be re-introduced during October.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to means test Disability Living Allowance.
Answered by Baroness Buscombe
We have no plans to means test Disability Living Allowance.