§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the costs of administering appeals against refusal of benefits by applicants failing the habitual residence test for each year for which figures are available(a) in total and (b) per appellant. [35086]
64W
§ Mr. DenhamThe administration of appeals is the responsibility of the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS) who report that the information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.
The average cost of an appeal to a Social Security Appeal Tribunal is £250, including the costs of work done by the Benefits Agency, the Employment Service Agency and work done by the ITS processing the appeal.
Overall operational costs of ITS for the last four financial years Operational cost Financial Year (£ million) 1994–95 37.320 1995–96 44.371 1996–97 59.763 1997–98 56.338 (estimated outturn) Note:
The ITS does not hold statistical information enabling the cost of administering those appeals to be identified or separated from the costs of administering the various other types of appeal for which it is responsible.
§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make it her policy to abolish the habitual residence test. [35087]
§ Mr. DenhamWe are currently reviewing the operation of the habitual residence test. A range of options is being considered as part of this work.