HC Deb 18 November 1996 vol 285 cc448-50W
Mr. Burden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of appeals against the disallowance of incapacity benefit for the last financial year were successful; and if he will make a statement. [734]

Mr. Burt

Between 1 June 1995 and 31 March 1996, 45 per cent. of appeals against disallowance of incapacity benefit were decided in favour of the appellant.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in Scotland are currently awaiting a hearing for an appeal against an all work test refusal(a) in total and (b) for each benefit office in Scotland; what percentage this represents of total tests at each office; what is the current average waiting time before each appeal is heard; and what action he is taking to expedite appeals. [1358]

Mr. Evans

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

There are 4,423 appeals against incapacity benefit all-work test decisions currently outstanding in Scotland. Individual totals for each office are shown in the table.

The current average waiting time before each appeal is heard in Scotland is 19.22 weeks.

We recently introduced regulations amending the appeals process which should help to reduce the time it takes to clear appeals. The Independent tribunal service, through its change programme, continue to look for ways to improve clearance times.

Benefits agency office Outstanding appeals (held by the Independent Tribunal Service as at 5 November 1996) All-work test decisions made during the quarter 1 April to 30 June 1996
Greenock 150 794
Glasgow City 44 309
Glasgow Maryhill 33 321
Glasgow Shettleston 300 632
Glasgow Provan 3 702
Glasgow South West 1,248
Glasgow Bridgeton 491 293
Glasgow Laurieston 4 704
East Kilbride 301 529
Glasgow Anniesland 195 718
Glasgow Partick 1 475
Irvine 65 751
Kilmarnock 101 375
Clydebank 115 1,267
Campbeltown 12 102
Oban 9 48
Renfrew 101 1,301
Ayr 220 1,245
Dumfries 37 477
Stranraer 18 204
Glasgow Springburn 196 926
Cumbernauld 199 1,199
Motherwell 595 1,095
Hamilton 857
Coatbridge 56 636
Edinburgh South 37 829
Edinburgh East 25 782
Galashiels 25 236
Kirkcaldy 2 332
Cowdenbeath 141 513
Dunfermline 672
Leven 376
Stirling 68 711
Falkirk 150 1,437
Aberdeen 2 869
Lerwick 4 39
Peterhead 55 560
Inverness 29 481
Fort William 1 113
Kirkwall 0 50
Wick 4 184
Edinburgh City 32 424
Leith 14 586
Lothian West 92 2,033
Dundee 463 1,602
Arbroath 457
Perth 468
Benefits agency office Outstanding appeals (held by the Independent Tribunal service as at 5 November 1996 All-work test decisions made during the quarter 1 April to 30 June 1996
Elgin 29 337
Stornaway 4 149

Source:

100 per cent. count of the incapacity benefit system excluding a small number of clerically processed cases. Some credits only cases which existed prior to April 1995 are not included either.

Notes:

  1. 1. The number of decisions made includes a small number of credits only cases disallowed as customers failed to return their questionnaire without good cause or failed to attend a medical examination.
  2. 2. Some severe disablement allowance cases which were allowed following reference to Benefits Agency Medical Services are included in the decisions.
  3. 3. The decision to withdraw benefit is made by the independent adjudication officer.