HC Deb 10 December 1996 vol 287 cc182-3W
Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the savings which will accrue to his Department as a result of the Social Security (Disability Living Allowance and Claims and Payments) Amendment Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996 No. 1436); and if he will make a statement. [7039]

Mr. Andrew Mitchell

Savings are estimated to be in the region of between £40 and £45 million for 1997–98 and 1998–99. Actual savings are kept under review and revised as necessary as new data become available.

Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average cost of dealing with an application for disability living allowance which goes to(a) review and (b) appeal. [6737]

Mr. Andrew Mitchell

The administration of disability living allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Peter Mathison to Mrs. Alice Mahon, dated 9 December 1996: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what is the average cost of dealing with an application for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) which to (a) review and (b) appeal. The following information reflects the average operational staffing costs involved in the processing of both reviews and appeals relating to DLA.

  • Cost of processing a DLA claim: £501
  • Cost of processing a Review for DLA: £22
  • Cost of processing an appeal for DLA: £592

1 This figure incorporates the new measures for administrative tightening.

2 This figure incorporates an element from fielding a presenting Officer at the tribunal hearing.

The above figures reflect the cost of processing to the implementation of a decision. Costs relating to the arrangement of Disability Appeals Tribunal (DAT) hearings is held by the Independent Tribunal Service. The average cost of an appeal session, from April to October 1996, for DLA is £343 with on average, 3.37 cases heard per session. This figure reflects the cost for the appellant and the DAT members only. The costs are rounded to the nearest pound. I hope you find this reply helpful.