§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the monthly take-up rate of the invalidity allowance and the invalidity pension, respectively, since these benefits were introduced; and what has been the monthly expenditure on each of these benefits, respectively, over the same period.
§ Mr. DeanInformation is not available in the form asked for by the hon. Member, but a special sample count made when invalidity benefit was introduced on 23rd September, 1971, showed that about 400,000 people were receiving an invalidity pension, about 325,000 of whom also received the invalidity allowance. The estimated additional gross cost 375W to the National Insurance Fund of all the improved benefits for invalidity pensioners is £24 million in a full year. It is estimated that about 200,000 people a year will newly qualify for invalidity pension but that the total at any one time will remain at about 400,000.