§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the number of claimants of incapacity benefit in the Newcastle Benefits Agency 117W district; and if she will estimate the age distribution of such claimants in the age bands (a) up to 30 years, (b) 31 to 40 years, (c) 41 to 50 years (d) 51 to 60 years and (e) over 60 years of age. [23671]
§ Mr. DenhamThe administration of Incapacity Benefit is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 23 January 1998:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about the number of claimants of Incapacity Benefit (IB) in the Newcastle Benefits Agency District, and if the age distribution of such claimants in the agebands (a) up to 30 years, (b) 31 to 40 years, (c) 41 to 50 years (d) 51 to 60 years and (e) over 60 years of age.The available information is shown in the table:
Number of claimants of IB in the Newcastle Benefits Agency district at 31 August 1997 All ages 19,160 Up to 30 years 2.080 31 to 40 years 3,140 41 to 50 years 4,380 51 to 60 years 5,580 Over 60 years 3,980 Notes:
1. The number of claimants of Incapacity Benefit include the category types of: Incapacity Benefit Short Term (Lower), Short Term (Higher), Long Term and National Insurance Credits only cases.
2. Data is provisional and subject to change.
Source:
Five per cent. sample of the Incapacity Benefit computer system. This excludes a small number of clerically held cases.
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