§ All Benefits
§ 1. The backdating of benefits for a period longer than one month may be allowed for—
- (a) cases where entitlement to benefit is dependent on the claimant's, or another person's entitlement to another benefit; and
- (b) Family Credit and Disability Working Allowance claims, where a previous claim to Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance has been refused because the claimant or partner is in remunerative work and the Family Credit or Disability Working Allowance Claim is made within 14 days of the determination on the Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance claim.
§ Income Related Benefits
§ 2. The backdating of income related benefits for a period no longer than one month may be allowed for—
- (a) claimants who have difficulty communicating because of learning, language or literacy difficulties;
- (b) claimants who are deaf or blind for whom there is no one else to make their claim;
- (c) claimants who are ill or disabled for whom there is no one else to make their claim, except in the case of a claim for Jobseeker's Allowance;
- (d) claimants who were given misleading information by an officer of the Department of Social Security or of the Department for Education and Employment;
- (e) claimants who were given misleading advice in writing by a solicitor or other professional adviser, or by a medical practitioner, a Local Authority or by a person working in a Citizens Advice Bureau or a similar advice agency;
- (f) claimants who have been given misleading information in writing about their income or capital by their employer or former employer, or by a bank or building society;
- (g) claimants who are required to deal with a domestic emergency affecting them, for whom there is no one else to make the claim; and
- (h) claimants who are prevented from attending the appropriate office by adverse weather conditions.
§ Delayed Claims
§ 3. The backdating of income related benefits for a period no longer than one month may be allowed in cases where claimants are forced to delay claiming because—
- (a) the appropriate office, where the claimant would be expected to make a claim, was unable to provide a service and alternative arrangements were not available;
- (b) the claimant was unable to attend the appropriate office due to difficulties with his normal mode of transport and there was no reasonable alternative available;
- (c) there were adverse postal conditions;
- (d) the claimant was previously in receipt of another benefit, and notification of expiry of entitlement to that benefit was not sent to the claimant before the date that his entitlement expired;
- (e) for Family Credit or Disability Working Allowance the claimant had previously been entitled to Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance and the claim for Family Credit or Disability Working Allowance was made within one month of expiry of entitlement to the previous benefit;
- (f) for Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance the claimant had previously been entitled to Family Credit or Disability Working Allowance and the claim for Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance was made within one month of expiry of entitlement to the previous benefit;
- (g) the claimant recently separated from his partner; or
- (h) a close relative of the claimant recently died.
§ Refugees
§ 4. Refugees may be allowed, where the Secretary of State thinks it appropriate to claim backdated awards of Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit to the date of the asylum application.
§ Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance and Maternity
Allowance
§ 5. Claims for Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance and Maternity Allowance may be allowed to be backdated if employers delay in notifying the claimants that they had no entitlement to Statutory Sick Pay or Statutory Maternity Pay.
§ Further Exceptions
§ 6. Further exceptions may be allowed in such cases or circumstances as may be prescribed.—[Mr. Waterson.]
§ Brought up, and read the First time.
§ Motion made, and Question put, That the schedule be read a Second time:—
§ The House divided: Ayes 192, Noes 374.
1121| Division No. 114] | [10.20 pm |
| AYES | |
| Ainsworth, Peter (E Surrey) | Beresford, Sir Paul |
| Amess, David | Blunt, Crispin |
| Ancram, Rt Hon Michael | Body, Sir Richard |
| Arbuthnot, James | Boswell, Tim |
| Ashdown, Rt Hon Paddy | Bottomley, Peter (Worthing W) |
| Atkinson, David (Bour'mth E) | Bottomley, Rt Hon Mrs Virginia |
| Atkinson, Peter (Hexham) | Brady, Graham |
| Baker, Norman | Brake, Tom |
| Ballard, Mrs Jackie | Brand, Dr Peter |
| Beggs, Roy | Brazier, Julian |
| Beith, Rt Hon A J | Breed, Colin |
| Bercow, John | Brooke, Rt Hon Peter |
| Browning, Mrs Angela | Kirkbride, Miss Julie |
| Bruce, Ian (S Dorset) | Kirkwood, Archy |
| Bruce, Malcolm (Gordon) | Laing, Mrs Eleanor |
| Burnett, John | Lait, Mrs Jacqui |
| Burns, Simon | Lansley, Andrew |
| Burstow, Paul | Leigh, Edward |
| Butterfill, John | Letwin, Oliver |
| Cable, Dr Vincent | Lewis, Dr Julian (New Forest E) |
| Campbell, Menzies (NE Fife) | Lidington, David |
| Cash, William | Lilley, Rt Hon Peter |
| Chapman, Sir Sydney (Chipping Barnet) | Livsey, Richard |
| Lloyd, Rt Hon Sir Peter (Fareham) | |
| Chidgey, David | Loughton, Tim |
| Chope, Christopher | Luff, Peter |
| Clappison, James | Lyell, Rt Hon Sir Nicholas |
| Clark, Rt Hon Alan (Kensington) | McIntosh, Miss Anne |
| Clark, Dr Michael (Rayleigh) | MacKay, Andrew |
| Clarke, Rt Hon Kenneth (Rushcliffe) | Maclean, Rt Hon David |
| Maclennan, Rt Hon Robert | |
| Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey | McLoughlin, Patrick |
| Collins, Tim | Madel, Sir David |
| Colvin, Michael | Major, Rt Hon John |
| Cormack, Sir Patrick | Malins, Humfrey |
| Cotter, Brian | Maples, John |
| Davey, Edward (Kingston) | Maude, Rt Hon Francis |
| Davies, Quentin (Grantham) | Mawhinney, Rt Hon Sir Brian |
| Davis, Rt Hon David (Haltemprice) | May, Mrs Theresa |
| Day, Stephen | Michie, Mrs Ray (Argyll & Bute) |
| Donaldson, Jeffrey | Moore, Michael |
| Dorrell, Rt Hon Stephen | Moss, Malcolm |
| Duncan, Alan | Nicholls, Patrick |
| Duncan Smith, Iain | Norman, Archie |
| Evans, Nigel | Oaten, Mark |
| Faber, David | Öpik, Lembit |
| Fabricant, Michael | Ottaway, Richard |
| Fallon, Michael | Page, Richard |
| Fearn, Ronnie | Paice, James |
| Flight, Howard | Paisley, Rev Ian |
| Forsythe, Clifford | Paterson, Owen |
| Forth, Rt Hon Eric | Pickles, Eric |
| Foster, Don (Bath) | Prior, David |
| Fowler, Rt Hon Sir Norman | Randall, John |
| Fox, Dr Liam | Redwood, Rt Hon John |
| Fraser, Christopher | Rendel, David |
| Garnier, Edward | Robathan, Andrew |
| George, Andrew (St Ives) | Robertson, Laurence (Tewk'b'ry) |
| Gibb, Nick | Ross, William (E Lond'y) |
| Gill, Christopher | Rowe, Andrew (Faversham) |
| Gillan, Mrs Cheryl | Ruffley, David |
| Gorman, Mrs Teresa | Russell, Bob (Colchester) |
| Gorrie, Donald | St Aubyn, Nick |
| Gray, James | Sanders, Adrian |
| Green, Damian | Sayeed, Jonathan |
| Greenway, John | Shephard, Rt Hon Mrs Gillian |
| Grieve, Dominic | Shepherd, Richard |
| Hague, Rt Hon William | Simpson, Keith (Mid-Norfolk) |
| Hamilton, Rt Hon Sir Archie | Smith, Sir Robert (W Ab'd'ns) |
| Hammond, Philip | Smyth, Rev Martin (Belfast S) |
| Harris, Dr Evan | Soames, Nicholas |
| Hawkins, Nick | Spelman, Mrs Caroline |
| Hayes, John | Spicer, Sir Michael |
| Heald, Oliver | Spring, Richard |
| Heath, David (Somerton & Frome) | Steen, Anthony |
| Heathcoat-Amory, Rt Hon David | Streeter, Gary |
| Horam, John | Stunell, Andrew |
| Howard, Rt Hon Michael | Swayne, Desmond |
| Howarth, Gerald (Aldershot) | Syms, Robert |
| Hunter, Andrew | Tapsell, Sir Peter |
| Jack, Rt Hon Michael | Taylor, Ian (Esher & Walton) |
| Jenkin, Bernard | Taylor, John M (Solihull) |
| Johnson Smith, Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey | Taylor, Matthew (Truro) |
| Taylor, Sir Teddy | |
| Jones, Nigel (Cheltenham) | Thompson, William |
| Keetch, Paul | Tonge, Dr Jenny |
| Kennedy, Charles (Ross Skye) | Townend, John |
| Key, Robert | Tredinnick, David |
| Trend, Michael | Widdecombe, Rt Hon Miss Ann |
| Tyler, Paul | Wilkinson, John |
| Tyrie, Andrew | Willetts, David |
| Viggers, Peter | Willis, Phil |
| Wallace, James | Winterton, Mrs Ann (Congleton) |
| Walter, Robert | Winterton, Nicholas (Macclesfield) |
| Walter, Robert | Woodward, Shaun |
| Wardle, Charles | Young, Rt Hon Sir George |
| Waterson, Nigel | |
| Webb, Steve | Tellers for the Ayes: |
| Wells, Bowen | Mr. John Whittingdale and |
| Whitney, Sir Raymond | Mr. James Cran. |
| NOES | |
| Abbott, Ms Diane | Chisholm, Malcolm |
| Adams, Mrs Irene (Paisley N) | Church, Ms Judith |
| Ainger, Nick | Clark, Rt Hon Dr David (S Shields) |
| Ainsworth, Robert (Cov'try NE) | Clark, Dr Lynda (Edinburgh Pentlands) |
| Alexander, Douglas | |
| Allen, Graham | Clark, Paul (Gillingham) |
| Anderson, Donald (Swansea E) | Clarke, Charles (Norwich S) |
| Anderson, Janet (Rossendale) | Clarke, Rt Hon Tom (Coatbridge) |
| Armstrong, Ms Hilary | Clarke, Tony (Northampton S) |
| Ashton, Joe | Clelland, David |
| Atherton, Ms Candy | Clwyd, Ann |
| Atkins, Charlotte | Coaker, Vernon |
| Austin, John | Coffey, Ms Ann |
| Banks, Tony | Cohen, Harry |
| Barnes, Harry | Coleman, Iain |
| Barron, Kevin | Colman, Tony |
| Battle, John | Connarty, Michael |
| Bayley, Hugh | Cook, Frank (Stockton N) |
| Beard, Nigel | Cooper, Yvette |
| Beckett, Rt Hon Mrs Margaret | Corbett, Robin |
| Begg, Miss Anne | Corbyn, Jeremy |
| Bell, Stuart (Middlesbrough) | Corston, Ms Jean |
| Benn, Rt Hon Tony | Cranston, Ross |
| Bennett, Andrew F | Crausby, David |
| Benton, Joe | Cryer, Mrs Ann (Keighley) |
| Bermingham, Gerald | Cryer, John (Hornchurch) |
| Best, Harold | Cummings, John |
| Betts, Clive | Cunliffe, Lawrence |
| Blackman, Liz | Cunningham, Rt Hon Dr John (Copeland) |
| Blair, Rt Hon Tony | |
| Blears, Ms Hazel | Dalyell, Tam |
| Blizzard, Bob | Darling, Rt Hon Alistair |
| Blunkett, Rt Hon David | Darvill, Keith |
| Boateng, Paul | Davidson, Ian |
| Borrow, David | Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli) |
| Bradley, Keith (Withington) | Davies, Geraint (Croydon C) |
| Bradley, Peter (The Wrekin) | Davies, Rt Hon Ron (Caerphilly) |
| Bradshaw, Ben | Dawson, Hilton |
| Brinton, Mrs Helen | Denham, John |
| Brown, Rt Hon Gordon (Dunfermline E) | Dewar, Rt Hon Donald |
| Dismore, Andrew | |
| Brown, Rt Hon Nick (Newcastle E) | Dobbin, Jim |
| Brown, Russell (Dumfries) | Dobson, Rt Hon Frank |
| Browne, Desmond | Doran, Frank |
| Buck, Ms Karen | Drew, David |
| Burden, Richard | Eagle, Angela (Wallasey) |
| Burgon, Colin | Eagle, Maria (L'pool Garston) |
| Butler, Mrs Christine | Edwards, Huw |
| Byers, Stephen | Efford, Clive |
| Caborn, Richard | Ellman, Mrs Louise |
| Campbell, Alan (Tynemouth) | Ennis, Jeff |
| Campbell, Mrs Anne (C'bridge) | Etherington, Bill |
| Campbell, Ronnie (Blyth V) | Fatchett, Derek |
| Campbell-Savours, Dale | Field, Rt Hon Frank |
| Canavan, Dennis | Fisher, Mark |
| Cann, Jamie | Fitzpatrick, Jim |
| Caplin, Ivor | Fitzsimons, Lorna |
| Casale, Roger | Flint, Caroline |
| Caton, Martin | Follett, Barbara |
| Cawsey, Ian | Foster, Rt Hon Derek |
| Chapman, Ben (Wirral S) | Foster, Michael Jabez (Hastings) |
| Chaytor, David | Foster, Michael J (Worcester) |
| Foulkes, George | Kennedy, Jane (Wavertree) |
| Fyfe, Maria | Khabra, Piara S |
| Galbraith, Sam | Kidney, David |
| Galloway, George | Kilfoyle, Peter |
| Gapes, Mike | King, Andy (Rugby & Kenilworth) |
| Gardiner, Barry | Kumar, Dr Ashok |
| George, Bruce (Walsall S) | Ladyman, Dr Stephen |
| Gerrard, Neil | Lawrence, Ms Jackie |
| Gibson, Dr Ian | Laxton, Bob |
| Gilroy, Mrs Linda | Lepper, David |
| Godman, Norman A | Leslie, Christopher |
| Godsiff, Roger | Levitt, Tom |
| Goggins, Paul | Lewis, Ivan (Bury S) |
| Golding, Mrs Llin | Lewis, Terry (Worsley) |
| Grant, Bernie | Liddell, Mrs Helen |
| Griffiths, Jane (Reading E) | Linton, Martin |
| Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S) | Livingstone, Ken |
| Griffiths, Win (Bridgend) | Lloyd, Tony (Manchester C) |
| Grocott, Bruce | Lock, David |
| Grogan, John | Love, Andrew |
| Gunnell, John | McAllion, John |
| Hain, Peter | McAvoy, Thomas |
| Hall, Mike (Weaver Vale) | McCabe, Steve |
| Hall, Patrick (Bedford) | McCartney, Ian (Makerfield) |
| Hamilton, Fabian (Leeds NE) | McCartney, Robert (N Down) |
| Hanson, David | McDonagh, Siobhain |
| Harman, Rt Hon Ms Harriet | Macdonald, Calum |
| Heal, Mrs Sylvia | McDonnell, John |
| Healey, John | McFall, John |
| Henderson, Doug (Newcastle N) | McGuire, Mrs Anne |
| Henderson, Ivan (Harwich) | McIsaac, Shona |
| Hepburn, Stephen | McKenna, Mrs Rosemary |
| Heppell, John | McLeish, Henry |
| Hesford, Stephen | McNulty, Tony |
| Hewitt, Ms Patricia | MacShane, Denis |
| Hill, Keith | Mactaggart, Fiona |
| Hinchliffe, David | McWalter, Tony |
| Hodge, Ms Margaret | McWilliam, John |
| Hoey, Kate | Mahon, Mrs Alice |
| Home Robertson, John | Mallaber, Judy |
| Hood, Jimmy | Mandelson, Peter |
| Hoon, Geoffrey | Marek, Dr John |
| Hope, Phil | Marsden, Gordon (Blackpool S) |
| Hopkins, Kelvin | Marsden, Paul (Shrewsbury) |
| Howarth, Alan (Newport E) | Marshall, David (Shettleston) |
| Howarth, George (Knowsley N) | Marshall, Jim (Leicester S) |
| Howells, Dr Kim | Martlew, Eric |
| Hoyle, Lindsay | Maxton, John |
| Hughes, Ms Beverley (Stretford) | Meale, Alan |
| Hughes, Kevin (Doncaster N) | Merron, Gillian |
| Humble, Mrs Joan | Michael, Alun |
| Hurst, Alan | Michie, Bill (Shef'ld Heeley) |
| Hutton, John | Milburn, Alan |
| Iddon, Dr Brian | Miller, Andrew |
| Illsley, Eric | Moffatt, Laura |
| Ingram, Adam | Moonie, Dr Lewis |
| Jackson, Ms Glenda (Hampstead) | Moran, Ms Margaret |
| Jackson, Helen (Hillsborough) | Morgan, Ms Julie (Cardiff N) |
| Jenkins, Brian | Morgan, Rhodri (Cardiff W) |
| Johnson, Alan (Hull W & Hessle) | Morley, Elliot |
| Johnson, Miss Melanie (Welwyn Hatfield) | Morris, Ms Estelle (B'ham Yardley) |
| Morris, Rt Hon John (Aberavon) | |
| Jones, Barry (Alyn & Deeside) | Mowlam, Rt Hon Marjorie |
| Jones, Mrs Fiona (Newark) | Mudie, George |
| Jones, Helen (Warrington N) | Mullin, Chris |
| Jones, Ms Jenny (Wolverh'ton SW) | Murphy, Denis (Wansbeck) |
| Murphy, Jim (Eastwood) | |
| Jones, Jon Owen (Cardiff C) | Murphy, Paul (Torfaen) |
| Jones, Dr Lynne (Selly Oak) | Naysmith, Dr Doug |
| Jones, Martyn (Clwyd S) | Norris, Dan |
| Jowell, Ms Tessa | O'Brien, Bill (Normanton) |
| Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald | O'Brien, Mike (N Warks) |
| Keeble, Ms Sally | Olner, Bill |
| Keen, Alan (Feltham & Heston) | O'Neill, Martin |
| Kelly, Ms Ruth | Organ, Mrs Diana |
| Kemp, Fraser | Osborne, Ms Sandra |
| Palmer, Dr Nick | Smith, Llew (Blaenau Gwent) |
| Pearson, Ian | Snape, Peter |
| Pendry, Tom | Soley, Clive |
| Perham, Ms Linda | Southworth, Ms Helen |
| Pickthall, Colin | Spellar, John |
| Pike, Peter L | Squire, Ms Rachel |
| Plaskitt, James | Starkey, Dr Phyllis |
| Pond, Chris | Steinberg, Gerry |
| Pope, Greg | Stevenson, George |
| Pound, Stephen | Stewart, David (Inverness E) |
| Powell, Sir Raymond | Stewart, Ian (Eccles) |
| Prentice, Ms Bridget (Lewisham E) | Stinchcombe, Paul |
| Prentice, Gordon (Pendle) | Stoate, Dr Howard |
| Primarolo, Dawn | Stott, Roger |
| Purchase, Ken | Strang, Rt Hon Dr Gavin |
| Quin, Ms Joyce | Stringer, Graham |
| Quinn, Lawrie | Stuart, Ms Gisela |
| Radice, Giles | Sutcliffe, Gerry |
| Rammell, Bill | Taylor, Rt Hon Mrs Ann (Dewsbury) |
| Rapson, Syd | |
| Raynsford, Nick | Taylor, Ms Dari (Stockton S) |
| Reed, Andrew (Loughborough) | Temple-Morris, Peter |
| Reid, Dr John (Hamilton N) | Thomas, Gareth (Clwyd W) |
| Robertson, Rt Hon George (Hamilton S) | Thomas, Gareth R (Harrow W) |
| Timms, Stephen | |
| Robinson, Geoffrey (Cov'try NW) | Tipping, Paddy |
| Roche, Mrs Barbara | Touhig, Don |
| Rogers, Allan | Trickett, Jon |
| Rooker, Jeff | Truswell, Paul |
| Rooney, Terry | Turner, Dennis (Wolverh'ton SE) |
| Ross, Ernie (Dundee W) | Turner, Desmond (Kemptown) |
| Rowlands, Ted | Turner, Dr George (NW Norfolk) |
| Roy, Frank | Twigg, Derek (Halton) |
| Ruane, Chris | Twigg, Stephen (Enfield) |
| Ruddock, Ms Joan | Vaz, Keith |
| Russell, Ms Christine (Chester) | Vis, Dr Rudi |
| Ryan, Ms Joan | Wareing, Robert N |
| Savidge, Malcolm | Watts, David |
| Sawford, Phil | White, Brian |
| Sedgemore, Brian | Whitehead, Dr Alan |
| Shaw, Jonathan | Wicks, Malcolm |
| Sheerman, Barry | Wills, Michael |
| Sheldon, Rt Hon Robert | Wilson, Brian |
| Shipley, Ms Debra | Winnick, David |
| Short, Rt Hon Clare | Winterton, Ms Rosie (Doncaster C) |
| Simpson, Alan (Nottingham S) | Wise, Audrey |
| Singh, Marsha | Wood, Mike |
| Skinner, Dennis | Woolas, Phil |
| Smith, Rt Hon Andrew (Oxford E) | Worthington, Tony |
| Smith, Angela (Basildon) | Wright, Dr Tony (Cannock) |
| Smith, Rt Hon Chris (Islington S) | Wyatt, Derek |
| Smith, Miss Geraldine (Morecambe & Lunesdale) | |
| Tellers for the Noes: | |
| Smith, Jacqui (Redditch) | Mr. David Jamieson and |
| Smith, John (Glamorgan) | Mr. Jim Dowd. |
§ Question accordingly negatived.