HC Deb 28 July 1997 vol 299 c105W
36. Mr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the average sum of money clawed back by the compensation recovery unit in each of the last four years under the Social Security (Recovery of Payments) Act 1997. [9064]

Mr. Keith Bradley

The Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Act 1997 comes into force on 6 October 1997. From then on, the onus for refunding benefits paid in consequence of an accident, injury or disease will rest with the compensator, but he may not do so from any part of the payment intended for pain and suffering.

The current compensation recovery scheme was introduced under the Social Security Act 1989 and was later administered under the Social Security Administration Act 1992. The amounts recovered in each of the last four years are as follows:

Year Amount recovered£ million
1996–97 145.50
1995–96 135.10
1994–95 110.10
1993–94 81.90