HC Deb 01 December 1999 vol 340 cc239-40W
Mr. John Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what proportion of claimants expressed as a percentage of all claimants had their disability living allowance withdrawn in(a) the Vale of Glamorgan, (b) Wales and (c) the UK in (i) June, July and August 1998 and (ii) June, July and August 1999. [100164]

Mr. Bayley

The administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

Letter from Norman Haighton to Mr. John Smith, dated 30 November 1999: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Peter Mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question. As he is unavailable I am replying on his behalf. You asked how many and what proportion of claimants, expressed as a percentage of all claimants, had their Disability Living Allowance withdrawn in (a) the Vale of Glamorgan, (b) Wales and (c) the UK in (i) June, July and August 1998 and (ii) June, July and August 1999. I should explain that we do not keep data specific to the Vale of Glamorgan, and to provide such information routinely would incur high costs. The Department of Social Security administers benefits for Great Britain only (i.e. England, Scotland, and Wales). Northern Ireland benefits are the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The information that is available for Wales and Great Britain is set out in the attached table. I hope this reply is helpful.

June 1998 July 1998 August 1998
Wales
Entitlement withdrawn 56 60 45
Total decisions made in month 1,881 1,946 1,710
Percentage withdrawn against total decisions made 2.98 3.08 2.63
Great Britain
Entitlement withdrawn 4,298 4,605 3,406
Total decisions made in month 46,859 47,566 40,051
Percentage withdrawn against total decisions made 9.17 9.68 8.50
June 1999 July 1999 August 1999
Wales
Entitlement withdrawn 43 47 48
Total decisions made in month 2,129 2,482 1,905
Percentage withdrawn against total decisions made 2.02 1.89 2.52
Great Britain
Entitlement withdrawn 3,733 3,838 3,750
Total decisions made in month 46,174 49,870 45,286
Percentage withdrawn against total decisions made 8.08 7.70 8.28