§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent the 17 per cent. drop in sickness benefit claims is due to self-certification; what effect the recession and rising unemployment had in producing these figures; and whether there is evidence that misunderstanding of self-certification forms exists, and that claimants give a medical diagnosis to employers.
§ Mr. RossiOver the six months following the introduction of self-certification in June 1982, claims have been running about 20 per cent. below claims in the corresponding period in 1981. Almost certainly, both the introduction of self-certification and rising unemployment are factors contributing to this decline, but on present information it is not possible to estimate their relative importance or to know whether there are others.
We have no evidence that there has been any major misunderstanding of self-certification forms by claimants which would deter people from claiming benefit to which they are entitled. In general, in completing these forms, claimants tend to describe their symptoms rather than give a medical diagnosis.