§ Mr. Derek TwiggTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what percentage of children who had their first claim for Disability Living Allowance disallowed, appealed against the decision in(a) Halton, (b) the North West and (c) England and Wales in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999; [123927]
(2) what percentages of children under the age of five years making their first claim for Disability Living Allowance, had their claim (a) disallowed and (b) allowed in (i) Halton, (ii) the North West and (iii) England and Wales in (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999; [123928]
(3) how many children aged under five years in (a) Halton, (b) the North West and (c) England and Wales made a first claim for Disability Living Allowance in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [123929]
§ Mr. BayleyThe administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Charlie MacKinnon to Mr. Derek Twigg, dated 6 June 2000:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Alexis Cleveland to respond to your recent Parliamentary Questions about claims for Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Due to annual leave I am replying on her behalf.Information about claims for DLA is not available in relation to an individual constituency or an unsuccessful applicant. However, I am able to provide the information as shown in the attached appendices.Information about children who had their first claim for DLA disallowed and then appealed against the decision is shown in Appendix 1.The reviews figures noted in the tables refer to claims which were originally disallowed and then subsequently awarded as a result of a review by DLA. The appeal figures refer to claims that were originally disallowed, subject to a review and disallowed and then awarded as the result of an appeal.The details about children under the age of five making their first claim for DLA are shown in Appendix 2.It should be noted that figures held for Halton Parliamentary Constituency which are relevant, are unreliable because of the small number of cases in the 5% data source. The review figures quoted are for claims which were originally disallowed and awarded following a review and the appeals figures, are for claims which were disallowed after review and subsequently awarded as a result of an appeal.322WI regret that figures held by the Department for all claims are not in a form that enables me to supply you with the information requested.I hope this is helpful.
Appendix 1: (1) Children aged under 16 in England and Wales awarded Disability Living Allowance 1997 1998 1999 All awards 34,300 32,000 33,100 On initial claim 27,500 26,500 27,700 On review 5,300 4,000 4,000 On appeal 1,500 1,500 1,400
Appendix 1: (2) Children aged under 16 in England and Wales awarded Disability Living Allowance 1997 1998 1999 All awards 2,200 2,900 4,800 On initial claim 1,600 2,200 3,700 On review 1400 600 800 On appeal 1200 1100 1200 1Number too small to be statistically reliable Note:
Please note that the figures have been rounded up
Appendix 2: (1) Children aged under 5 in England and Wales awarded Disability Living Allowance 1997 1998 1999 All awards 16,500 15,800 15,200 On initial claim 13,700 13,500 13,300 On review 2,400 1,900 1,700 On appeal 500 1400 1300 1Please note that the figures have been rounded up
Appendix 2: (2) Children aged under 5 in England and Wales awarded Disability Living Allowance 1997 1998 1999 All awards 1,000 1,500 2,200 On initial claim 700 1,100 1,800 On review 1200 1300 1400 On appeal 1100 — — 1Please note that these figures have been rounded up