§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many additional benefit claims are expected as a result of the effects of foot and mouth disease, 483W broken down into (a) Jobseeker's Allowance, (b) Housing Benefit, (c) Council Tax Benefit and (d) other benefits; and what extra support is being offered to the Benefits Agency and local authorities to ensure that these claims are processed quickly. [157078]
§ Angela EagleIt is not possible to estimate with any degree of accuracy the number of claims to benefit that will result from the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
Details of the robust measures being taken to ensure that claims to benefit from people affected by the outbreak of foot and mouth disease are dealt with quickly and sensitively were set out by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster, Central (Ms Winterton) on 30 March 2001, Official Report, column 794W.