Benefit Claimants (Hansard, 25 April 1984)

§ Mr. Terlezki
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people (a) in South Wales and (b) in Cardiff are currently living on social security in multiple accommodation; and how much this costs per year.

§ Dr. Boyson
The information is not available in the form requested.
The total number of supplementary benefit claimants in Wales in board-and-lodging accommodation, including hostels, common lodging houses, private lodgings and hotels, but excluding residential care homes and nursing homes, at December 1982 was 2,600. It is not possible to identify separately those in houses in multiple occupation. Information on total costs is not available, but the average supplementary benefit payment to the people concerned was £33.22 per week. This includes an allowance for

Claims Appeals

Number of claims Decided in claimant's favour Appeals and references decided by medical board Decided in claimant's favour Appeals decided by medical appeal tribunal Decided in claimant's favour

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

1976 49,900 35,120 1,410 390 326 86

1977 46,980 31,210 1,850 500 585 177

1978 58,220 42,940 2,140 620 789 194

1979 61,860 41,740 4,020 1,320 843 227

1980 85,730 60,180 7,900 2,710 1,906 519

1981 60,770 41,440 7,120 2,270 2,454 691

1982 109,340 76,130 11,410 3,600 2,663 703

^*(21,240) ^*(17,130)

1983 106,800 69,850 12,970 3,890 3,070 1,000

^*(19,500) ^*(16,450)

Notes:
Columns (1) and (2) For the years prior to 1982 figures for renewal claims are not available. For 1982 and 1983 such figures are shown separately in brackets marked^*.
Columns (3) to (6) Figures include renewal claims.

§ Mr. Gregory
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current estimate for the costs of removing the age bar to claimants for mobility allowance which is currently beyond 65 years of age; and what information he holds on the numbers who qualify in age groupings.

§ Mr. Newton
It is estimated that to remove the mobility allowance age limits would involve an immediate cost of some £340 million a year and that an extra 345,000 people would qualify for the benefit as follows:

Age

65–69 75,900

70–74 117,300

75–79 86,200

80 and over 65,600

	Claims		Appeals
	Number of claims	Decided in claimant's favour	Appeals and references decided by medical board	Decided in claimant's favour	Appeals decided by medical appeal tribunal	Decided in claimant's favour
	(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)
1976	49,900	35,120	1,410	390	326	86
1977	46,980	31,210	1,850	500	585	177
1978	58,220	42,940	2,140	620	789	194
1979	61,860	41,740	4,020	1,320	843	227
1980	85,730	60,180	7,900	2,710	1,906	519
1981	60,770	41,440	7,120	2,270	2,454	691
1982	109,340	76,130	11,410	3,600	2,663	703
	^*(21,240)	^*(17,130)
1983	106,800	69,850	12,970	3,890	3,070	1,000
	^*(19,500)	^*(16,450)

Age
65–69	75,900
70–74	117,300
75–79	86,200
80 and over	65,600