Friday November 26, 07:23 AM
Benefits chaos after computer crash
Engineers are battling to fix a massive computer failure which has caused chaos at the Department for Work and Pensions.
Up to 80% of the ministry's systems for processing millions of pension and benefit payments collapsed on Monday, said reports.
A memo sent to jobcentres said 30% of problems may be eased with "a full solution potentially taking another 24 to 48 hours".
"At this point there is no known solution," said the memo. "We are hopeful that some interim measures that are being considered may release some users from their current deadlock".
The breakdown caused a backlog in dealing with new and amended benefit claims but existing payments have been unaffected, according to the DWP.
Staff were unable to send or receive emails on 80,000 of the department's 100,000 computers when the network malfunctioned.
The Guardian reported that Alan Johnson, the work and pensions secretary, has ordered an inquiry into the role of Microsoft and the American contractors EDS, who run the ministry's network.
The newspaper said DWP managers were informed of a "major incident report" on Monday which warned of "major problems".
Microsoft trouble-shooters were flown in from across Europe to join a team of technical experts in working around the clock to solve the problem.
The computer crisis follows criticism that the department racked up a bill of more than £400 million in consultancy fees.
Benefits chaos after computer crash
Engineers are battling to fix a massive computer failure which has caused chaos at the Department for Work and Pensions.
Up to 80% of the ministry's systems for processing millions of pension and benefit payments collapsed on Monday, said reports.
A memo sent to jobcentres said 30% of problems may be eased with "a full solution potentially taking another 24 to 48 hours".
"At this point there is no known solution," said the memo. "We are hopeful that some interim measures that are being considered may release some users from their current deadlock".
The breakdown caused a backlog in dealing with new and amended benefit claims but existing payments have been unaffected, according to the DWP.
Staff were unable to send or receive emails on 80,000 of the department's 100,000 computers when the network malfunctioned.
The Guardian reported that Alan Johnson, the work and pensions secretary, has ordered an inquiry into the role of Microsoft and the American contractors EDS, who run the ministry's network.
The newspaper said DWP managers were informed of a "major incident report" on Monday which warned of "major problems".
Microsoft trouble-shooters were flown in from across Europe to join a team of technical experts in working around the clock to solve the problem.
The computer crisis follows criticism that the department racked up a bill of more than £400 million in consultancy fees.
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