§ Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applications for maternity allowance were refused in each of the last three years for which figures are available; what the reasons were; and if he will make a statement. [132801]
§ Maria EagleMaternity benefits are being reformed as part of the Government's drive to improve financial support for pregnant women and parents. The standard rate of Maternity Allowance (MA) was increased to £75 a week from April 2002, and has been increased further to £100 from April 2003.
The available information is in the table.
MA claims processed and awarded in each of the last two years Period MA claims processed1 MA awards2 April 2001 to March 2002 66,310 54,500 April 2002 to March 2003 68,225 53,700 1 Figures for claims processed are rounded to the nearest five. 2 Figures for awards are rounded to the nearest 100. Notes:
1. Accurate figures for claims processed prior to April 2001 are not available.
2. Figures for awards take into consideration late notifications to the system, and may differ from previously published figures.
3. Data are derived from two sources therefore it is not possible to provide an accurate figure for the number of claims that did not result in an award. However, the difference between the figures quoted would be indicative of the numbers involved.
Sources:
1. DWP Central Data Unit, 100 per cent. counts.
2. DWP Information Centre, 5 per cent. samples.