HC Deb 31 October 1996 vol 284 cc246-7W
Mr. Burden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate his Department has made of the numbers of claimants receiving income support as a result of the rejection of their claim for incapacity benefit. [728]

Mr. Burt

As at 31 August 1996, 113,0001 incapacity benefit recipients had been found capable of work following an examination under the all work-test. Of these, it is estimated that around 37,0002 will become newly entitled to income support.

Notes: 1. Source: 100 per cent. count of cases on the incapacity benefit computer system. Excludes a small number of cases not held on the system. 2. Estimate based on family expenditure survey data, rounded to nearest 1,000 cases.

Mr. Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) IB50 questionnaires were (i) issued and (ii) returned and (b) how many examinations for the all-work test were (1) scheduled and (2) took place during the year April 1995 to April 1996. [411]

Mr. Burt

The information is not available in the format requested as information on the return of questionnaires is not routinely collected. However, a recent sampling exercise indicated that 93 per cent. of questionnaires are returned within six weeks. The available information is in the table.

Number
Questionnaires issued (13 April 1995 to 31 March 1996) 1,317,715
IB examinations scheduled (13 April 1995 to 31 March 1996) 683,760
IB examinations conducted (13 April to 31 March 1996) 434,817

Notes:

Figures for examinations scheduled and conducted include a small number of examinations for the own occupation test and all-work test examinations for severe disablement allowance claimants.

Source:

Benefits Agency medical services.