Question
I recognise the Minister’s efforts to resolve this issue, and I am grateful to her for meeting me recently, but far too often, Capita remains completely unresponsive. Sadly, trying to get an appointment at the MPs’ surgeries is proving very difficult. Last week, I wrote to her about four outstanding cases in my constituency. Will she commit personally to reviewing those cases and securing me a detailed update, so that my constituents know what to expect and when to expect it, and when they will get the money that they are owed?
Answer
I thank the right hon. Member for meeting me recently and raising her constituency cases. I will ensure that I identify those four cases, follow them up personally, and get back to her as soon as possible. I am sorry to hear that she struggled to get an appointment at the surgeries. I will work with my officials to see if there is any way that we can increase capacity, so that everyone can get the appointment that they need.
Verdict: AMBER (40/100) DEFERRED
The Minister clearly committed to identifying the four cases and following them up personally, which fully answers that part of the question. The promise to 'get back as soon as possible' is vague, with no timescale or indication of what constituents can expect, so that part is only deferred. The question about when constituents will receive the money they are owed was not answered: the reply discussed surgery appointment availability instead. The MP would likely need to submit a follow-up on payment timing.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will the Minister commit personally to reviewing the four outstanding cases in the MP's constituency that were raised in the MP's letter last week? | Addressed | Direct | The Minister explicitly commits to identifying the four cases and following them up personally, which directly answers whether he will personally review them. |
| Will the Minister secure a detailed update for the MP on those four cases, including what constituents can expect and when? | Deferred | Hedged | The reply promises to 'get back to her as soon as possible' but gives no detail on what constituents can expect or when, so the substantive update is deferred to a later date. |
| When will the constituents in those four cases receive the money they are owed? | Not Addressed | Generic | The question asks when constituents will receive the money they are owed, but the reply only addresses surgery appointment availability and capacity, with no mention of payments or timing; the reply engages with a different strand of the MP's concerns rather than this one. |