§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Social144W Security (1) how many people were given financial assistance to travel to Benefits Agency appointments in each of the last five years; [9354]
(2) what was the total amount paid out in financial assistance to people travelling to Benefits Agency appointments in each of the last five years. [9355]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThis an operational matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 18 December 1996:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking how many people were given financial assistance to travel to Benefits Agency (BA) appointments in each of the last five years and; what was the total amount paid out in financial assistance to people travelling to BA appointments in each of the last five years.The information is not available for the number of people given financial assistance and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.Financial assistance is given to people travelling to BA offices when they have been invited to attend an office to discuss benefit entitlement. The BA provides reimbursement of the travelling expenses where these are in excess of £0.80p.The BA also meets the cost of travelling expenses and where appropriate loss of earnings and travelling expenses for a companion or interpreter, incurred in attending a medical examination at a medical examination centre. Most medical examination centres are situated within BA office accommodation although not necessarily on the same site. The amounts paid out are shown on the attached Annex.I hope you find this reply helpful.
Financial assistance for travel to the Benefits Agency for the last five financial years £ Reimbursement of travel in excess of £0.80: 1991–92 84,966 1992–93 100,018 1993–94 98,234 1994–95 118,189 1995–96 123,528 Reimbursement of travel costs for attending a medical examination 1991–92 2,450,945 1992–93 2,498,012 1993–94 13,202,965 1994–95 21,589,733 1995–96 32,271,155 1 The increase here is as a result of additional activity for War Pension medical referrals. 2 The decrease reflects a transfer of funding to War Pensions Agency for medical examinations. 3 The increase here is as a result of increased activity in respect of Incapacity Benefit medical referrals. Figures are provisional and subject to change.