Work and Pensions written statement – made at on 15 May 2006.
James Plaskitt
Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Work and Pensions
On behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the BFI inspection reports on the following councils were published today: Brentwood borough council, Isle of Anglesey county council, Neath Port Talbot county borough council, Newport city council, North East Derbyshire district council, Rother district council, St. Edmundsbury borough council, London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Woking borough council. Copies have been placed in the library.
The BFI reports detail a range of strengths and weaknesses in the housing benefit services provided by councils and make recommendations to improve the security and efficiency of benefit delivery.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is considering the reports and may ask the councils for proposals in response to BFIs findings.
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