HC Deb 07 December 1998 vol 322 cc3-5W
Mr. Oaten

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information his Department has collected relating to the income tax bands of claimants of disability living allowance. [62633]

Mr. Timms

The information is not routinely collected.

Estimates of the current recipients of disability living allowance (DLA) based on the 1995–96 family resources survey
Tax band Number of DLA recipients
20 per cent. rate 120,000
23 per cent. rate 110,000
40 per cent. rate 10,000

Notes:

1. The tax rates refer to the highest marginal rate of income tax the recipient is liable to pay.

2. Entitlement to Disability Living Allowance depends on the level of help a disabled person needs with personal care and mobility, not on their level of income.

3. These estimates are based on survey information and subject to margins of error.

Mr. Oaten

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much it would cost to extend up to 25 years of age the limit of 20 years of age before which disability must have occurred which is placed upon severe disablement allowance. [62340]

Mr. Timms

We estimate the cost to be broadly in the region of £40 million a year.

Mr. Rooney

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lifetime awards of disability living allowance are in payment for(a) lower, (b) middle and (c) higher rate of care component and (i) lower and (ii) higher rate of mobility component. [62540]

Mr. Timms

The information is in the table.

Disability Living Allowance awards made "for life" which were in payment at 31 May 1998
Thousand
Care component
highest rate 264
middle rate 361
lowest rate 331
Mobility component
higher rate 1,110
lower rate 239

Notes:

The term "for life" means that payment can be made indefinitely provided the conditions for receipt continue to be satisfied. Many beneficiaries receive both components.

Source:

Analytical Services Division: 5 per cent. data

Mr. Oaten

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate his Department has made of the number of new claimants who will not be eligible for severe disablement allowance under his proposed reforms. [62339]

Mr. Timms

We estimate that 16,000 people per year would not receive Severe Disablement Allowance under the reforms proposed in our discussion document "Support for Disabled People". However, current statistical data indicate that nearly 70 per cent. of these will qualify for Income Support as they do at present, so that, for the majority, their benefit income will not be reduced.