To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current interval in working days between the date on which new applications or applications for renewal of family credit are received at the family credit unit and the date on which work commences on the processing of those applications.

The first stage in the processing of claims is registration; and normally all claims, whether new or renewal, are registered within 24 hours of receipt at the family credit unit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to review the establishment at the family credit unit.

The establishment of the family credit unit is routinely reviewed at the end of each quarter. Adjustments are made as necessary to match staffing to changes in work intake. Additional resources have been deployed to deal with arrears of work which have accumulated recently.