Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the Minister of State for Social Security and Disability plans to respond to the correspondence of (a) 19 December and (b) 20 January from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs.

A response to your correspondence of 19 December and 20 January was issued on 5 February. I apologise for the delay, and the Department is taking steps to improve the timeliness of its correspondence handling. If the Honourable Member requires any further clarification, we will be happy to assist.