§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people claiming income support in the Doncaster area offices of the Benefit Agency in 1992 and 1993 were refused benefit by an adjudication officer; how many appealed; how many of those who appealed subsequently had their claim for income support allowed; and how many of those concerned had children.
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 29 March 1994:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about the appeals in the Benefits Agency's Doncaster District.The full range of information you request is not readily available and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. This is because statistics relating to the refusal of Income Support and those which would identify families with children are not routinely collected. To obtain all the relevant information would require a physical examination of all income support cases within the Doncaster District.I am, however, able to provide records which show the number for income support appeals which are for January to December each year and are shown below.
1992 1993 Appeals received 321 339 Appeals withdrawn 43 48 Appeals superseded 79 96 Appeals allowed 19 20 Appeals partially allowed 4 2 I hope you find this reply helpful.
§ Mr. LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what amount of income support payment is deemed to be designated for personal clothing needs.
§ Mr. BurtIncome support rates are intended to cover all normal day-to-day living expenses and no particular amounts are designated for specific purposes. Claimants are free to manage their benefit according to their own needs and preferences.