Departmental Information (Hansard, 19 December 1997)

§ Mr. Matthew Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will place in the Library a copy of the internal departmental guidance on the dissemination of information; and if she will make a statement. [16304]

Number and percentage of customers currently in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Industrial Disablement Benefit (IIDB) and Incapacity Benefit (IB)

DLA—as at 31 August 1997¹ IIDB—as at 30 March 1996² IB—as at 31 May 1997³

Number of customers in Great Britain 1,924,360 244,798 1,732,740

Per cent. 3.0 0.4 3.0

Number of customers in Wansbeck 4,340 n/a n/a

Per cent. 7.0 n/a n/a

Number of customers in Northumberland (Northumbria District) 11,860 966 12,040

Per cent. 4.0 0.3 3.9

1. Figures are provisional and subject to change.

¹ Figures based on a 5 per cent, sample of customers in receipt of Disability Living Allowance at 31 August 1997.

² Figures based on a 10 per cent, sample of all IIDB assessments.

³Figures based on a 5 per cent, sample of customers in receipt of Incapacity Benefit at 31 May 1997. This includes the rates of Incapacity Short Term (Lower), Short Term (Higher) and Long Term. This figure excludes a small number of clerically processed cases.

The percentage figure is calculated by dividing the number of customers in receipt of the benefit by the population estimate for the corresponding area. The population estimate has been provided by the Office of National Statistics and General Registrar of Scotland, population estimate at 1996.

n/a = not available.

§ Mr. Webb
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of each of the main disability benefits have had their benefits(a) reduced and (b) stopped, as a result of the Benefits Integrity Programme; and what proportion of these recipients are over pension age. [21521]

§ Mr. Denham
One of our key aims is to rebuild integrity in, and public support for, the Social Security system and the way in which public money is spent. We need to focus on those who are properly entitled to benefit. This is why we have set up the Benefit Integrity Project.
The administration of this programme is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
360W

§ Mr. Field
A copy of the current guidance on the dissemination of information used by DSS Headquarters has been placed in the Library. The Department's Executive Agencies issue separate guidance for their staff.

Number and percentage of customers currently in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Industrial Disablement Benefit (IIDB) and Incapacity Benefit (IB)
	DLA—as at 31 August 1997¹	IIDB—as at 30 March 1996²	IB—as at 31 May 1997³
Number of customers in Great Britain	1,924,360	244,798	1,732,740
Per cent.	3.0	0.4	3.0
Number of customers in Wansbeck	4,340	n/a	n/a
Per cent.	7.0	n/a	n/a
Number of customers in Northumberland (Northumbria District)	11,860	966	12,040
Per cent.	4.0	0.3	3.9
1. Figures are provisional and subject to change.
¹ Figures based on a 5 per cent, sample of customers in receipt of Disability Living Allowance at 31 August 1997.
² Figures based on a 10 per cent, sample of all IIDB assessments.
³Figures based on a 5 per cent, sample of customers in receipt of Incapacity Benefit at 31 May 1997. This includes the rates of Incapacity Short Term (Lower), Short Term (Higher) and Long Term. This figure excludes a small number of clerically processed cases.
The percentage figure is calculated by dividing the number of customers in receipt of the benefit by the population estimate for the corresponding area. The population estimate has been provided by the Office of National Statistics and General Registrar of Scotland, population estimate at 1996.
n/a = not available.