HC Deb 08 June 1998 vol 313 cc476-7W
Mr. Alan W. Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have lost their entitlement to incapacity benefit because of the all work test since its introduction; and what percentage of those were(a) over 50 and (b) over 55 years. [43046]

Mr. Denham

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

Incapacity Benefit recipients found capable of work following application of the all work test
Number
13 April 1995 to 31 August 1996
Numbers (all ages) 178,000
1 September 1996 to 30 November 1997
Numbers (all ages) 251,000
Percentage aged 50 and over 31
Percentage aged 55 and over 18

Notes:

1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand

2. Due to initial data collection problems, the proportion of recipients found capable of work broken down by age is not available from 13 April 1995 to 31 August 1996

3. Figures include recipients found capable after initial referral for the all work test and after re-referrals

4. The all work test is not applicable to Incapacity Benefit recipients aged 58 or over on 13 April 1995 who had been in receipt of Invalidity Benefit continuously between 1 December 1993 and 12 April 1995

Source:

13 April 1995 to 31 August 1997. 100 per cent. count of the computer system; excludes a small number of cases not on the system

1 September 1996 to 30 November 1997. 5 per cent. sample of the computer system; excludes a small number of cases not on the system