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Data sharing ‘used to improve benefits services’
A trial which has hastened the processing of benefits and tax credits in one local authority is set to be implemented elsewhere, the secretary of state for work and pensions has announced today.
Speaking alongside paymaster general Dawn Primarolo, John Hutton announced that a scheme, which has operated successfully in North Tyneside, is now set to be rolled out in six other local authorities.
The trial involved the sharing of customer data between the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and North Tyneside Council - and saw the time taken for all benefits to get into payment following the applicant’s loss of work halved.
Mr Hutton commented: "This trial is all about improving our current performance. Our customers don’t see the boundaries between the organisations - what they want is a speedy and seamless service to help them when they become unemployed or take on a new job."
Other efficiency gains resulting from the Tyneside trial included faster cancelling of payments - thereby reducing the chances of overpayment - and a swifter transition to the tax credits system where relevant.
Last week the DWP announced the creation of a new taskforce dedicated to helping ill or injured people to return to work as swiftly as possible, addressing the 175 million working days currently lost to sickness absence each year.
