Supplementary Benefit (Hansard, 23 October 1986)

§ Mr. Ernie Ross
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of people in Dundee currently awaiting an appeal to a supplementary benefit tribunal; and what was the corresponding figure two years ago.

§ Mr. Lyell
Departmental figures are not available for areas smaller than a social security region. I suggest that the hon. Member writes to the president of social security appeal tribunals who, I understand, will be able to provide information on the number of appeals currently awaiting a hearing.

§ Mr. Ernie Ross
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current waiting time for the result of an adjudication from a supplementary benefits tribunal in (a) Dundee and (b) Scotland as a whole; and what action he proposes to take to reduce these waiting times.

§ Mr. Lyell
The latest available statistics, which relate to the quarter ended 31 December 1985, show that the average length of time from lodgement of an appeal to tribunal hearing in supplementary benefit cases is 11.6 weeks in Scotland. Equivalents are not available for localities smaller than a social security region. We are concerned at the time taken to process appeals and a study has been commissioned to examine procedures. We are aware that the president of social security appeal tribunals is similarly concerned and is also examining procedures with a view to reducing waiting times.

§ Mr. Ron Davies
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons were classed as long-term unemployed for the purpose of receiving supplementary benefit 12 months ago, six months ago and at the latest available date; and if he will distinguish those persons receiving the long-term rate of supplementary benefit in each case.

§ Mr. Lyell
The number of supplementary benefit claimants unemployed for more than one year was 1,032,800 on 14 November 1985 and 1,027,700 on 8 May 1986.
The long-term scale rate is not normally payable to a claimant who is unemployed and subject to the condition of availability for work but at December 1984 there were 25,000 long-term unemployed claimants who were receiving the long-term scale rate either because they had a partner over 60 or because they were not required to be available for supplementary benefit purposes but had chosen none the less to claim as unemployed.
The dates given are the latest at which the information requested is available.