Thousands Of Benefit Mistakes Due To Complex System

12.00.00am GMT Wed 26th Nov 2003

Dee Doocey, Liberal Democrat London South West GLA candidate commenting on the report by the National Audit Office Report, 'Getting it right, putting it right: Improving decision-making and appeals in social security benefits', has condemned the Government's handling of the benefit system.

Dee said, "The report reveals that more than a fifth of the Department of Work and Pensions' decisions on benefits contain errors. This huge number of mistakes is simply not acceptable. Many people are forced through a lengthy appeals process in an attempt to get things put right. It takes on average nearly six months to finalise an appeal."

"The Government's complex benefit arrangements must be simplified so that officials and claimants can understand how it works."