§ Ms. ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish up-to-date figues showing(a) the total number of new benefit claims from unemployed people since the beginning of 1987, (b) how many of these claims resulted in a benefit award, (c) a breakdown of the difference in the two figures showing the numbers deemed unavailable for work, those deemed voluntarily unemployed, withdrawn claims and any other reasons and (4) the number of appeals against benefit decisions, distinguishing between different types of decision, together with the results of such appeals.
§ Mr. Portillo[holding answer 7 December 1987]: I have been asked to reply.
In the first 10 months of 1987 some 4.1 million claims to unemployment benefit were made. It is estimated that 441W 40 per cent. of all new claims result in payment of unemployment benefit only, 10 per cent. in payment of both unemployment benefit and supplementary allowance and 35 per cent. in payment of supplementary allowance only. The remaining 15 per cent. do not attract any benefit but a large proportion of these claims result in an award of credits.
Of claims not attracting unemployment benefit, about 5 per cent. are disallowed unemployment benefit on the grounds of unavailability for work, 30 per cent. are disallowed on the basis that the claimant became unemployed voluntarily and 65 per cent. for other reasons, such as the receipt of a payment in lieu of notice, dismissal for misconduct or delayed claim.
The latest available figures for appeals are for the quarter ending 31 March 1987:
Reason for disallowance Non-availability and limited availability for work Voluntarily unemployed Other Number of appeals heard 716 1,002 3,161 Number decided in appellant's favour 251 426 976