§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what is his estimate of the cost, in each of the years 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99, of reinstating contributory jobseeker's allowance for a period of 312 days in respect of(a) people who are registered disabled, (b) people who move from incapacity benefit to sign on as unemployed and (c) people who place restrictions on their availability for work because of their physical or mental condition. [21601]
§ Mr. Roger Evans[holding answer Friday 28 April]: Extending the period of contribution-based jobseeker's allowance to 312 days, in respect of people who move from incapacity benefit as a result of the new medical test, would bring costs of £10 million in 1996–97, £15 million in 1997–98, and from £10 million in 1998–99.
No information is available relating to the proportion of unemployed claimants who are registered disabled. It is not possible to estimate the number of claimants likely to agree restrictions on their availability for work because of their physical or mental condition under jobseeker's allowance.
Notes:
- 1. Assumes 2.4 million unemployed and an unemployment benefit caseload of 500,000 in 1997–98 if jobseeker's allowance had not been introduced.
- 2. Figures rounded to the nearest £5 million.
- 3. Figures make no allowance for any possible claims deterrent effect of the new medical test in incapacity benefit.
- 4. Estimates made using data from the 1990–91–92 family expenditure surveys uprated to 1994–95 and benefit rates.