WORCESTER City Council has been named as one of the worst authorities in

the country for handing out housing benefits.

Now council bosses are being urged to take advantage of a £33m Government fund to improve the way the benefit is paid.

According to figures published by the Department for Work and Pensions, officers took an average of 64 days to settle a fresh claim. This puts the council in the bottom 25 per cent, rating them one of the worst councils in the country.

Neighbouring Wychavon took just 26 days to settle claims. When it comes to renewing claims, Worcester performs just as badly. Only 26 per cent of claims are competed on time, compared to Redditch's 97 per cent and Wychavon's 88 per cent.

Bromsgrove settled claims in 67 days and carried out 63 per cent of renewals on time, Malvern Hills took 28 days and completed 90 per cent of renewals on time.

The extra £33m will target funds to help local councils improve performance by recruiting staff, investment in new IT systems and better training.

Local councils have to apply to receive money from this fund.

City Labour MP Mike Foster said the city should consider a bid.

"I very much welcome this new fund which could help the local council improve what they must admit is a pretty dire performance," he said.

"I don't blame officers for this, but the councillors who should be helping their staff do the job more efficiently.

"I hope the ruling group of councillors also welcome this new pot of money, and they submit a decent bid for cash. I will, of course, support such a bid if they seek my help."

"The people of this city deserve the best in local services. They are clearly not getting this at the moment, and the Government recognise this.

"It is a pity that local people have had to suffer such poor levels of service, but I hope the possibility of extra investment can help turn around the performance of the council."

The statistics cover a period from January to April last year.