BLACKPOOL is to be the nerve centre of a Government operation to prevent Millennium Bug chaos affecting the social security system over the festive period.

And Social Security minister Alistair Darling paid a visit this week (Dec 7) to see how things were going.

He said: "Staff in the nerve centre will help to ensure that any problems with benefits are dealt with quickly and effectively.

"Experts will, as usual, be on call throughout the Millennium holiday to ensure there is no disruption to the payment of benefits."

The control centre has been set up at the Information Technology Services Agency offices in Peel Park.

Helpline staff at the centre will take calls from DSS offices across the country to make sure claimants are paid on time over the New Year period.

More than 150 staff will be on hand to gather early warnings of any problems with the DSS computer systems and co-ordinate the response.

Additional staff will be added if there is a call surge in the New Year.

They will also make sure all essential computer systems are thoroughly checked again before they reopen after the holiday.

With implementation of these measures it is expected payment of benefits, pensions and child support will not be at risk from the Millennium Bug.

The Department of Social Security will also share information with other essential suppliers and the Post Office.

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