HC Deb 27 November 1978 vol 959 cc53-4W
Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people are receiving the mobility allowance, at the latest available date, in the following age groups, 0 to five years, six to 10 years, 11 years, 15 years, 16 years, 25 years, 26 years, 40 years, 41 to 55 years, 55 to 65 years, and 65 to 75 years; and if he will show the cost of supplying the mobility allowance to each of the groups mentioned.

Mr. Alfred Morris:

I regret that the information is not available in the form requested. Statistics relating to awards of mobility allowance are collected in five year age-bands except for ages 25, 35, 45 and 55. Details of awards in these groups at the latest available date-20th November—are as follows:

Age Number of awards Equivalent annual cost
£
5–9 7,217 3,752,840
10–14 7,428 3,862,560
15–19 6,081 3,162,120
20–24 4,094 2,128,880
25 757 393,640
26–29 3,292 1,711,840
30–34 5,029 2,615,080
35 1,026 533,520
36–39 4,007 2,083,640
40–44 6,472 3,365,440
45 1,476 767,520
46–49 7,625 3,965,000
50–54 13,493 7,016,360
55 2,853 1,483,560
56–59* 4,729 2,459,080
60–65f† Nil Nil
65–75‡ Nil Nil
Total 75,579§ 39,301,080
*Includes only people born after 13th January 1921.Those born after 20th December 1919, will not be awarded earlier than 20th December 1978.
†Claims cannot yet be made by this group.
‡The existing legislation limits eligibility to pensionable age (65 for men, 60 for women).
§ This total does not include 2,817 beneficiaries who were awarded mobility allowance and subsequently transferred to mobility allowance without age limit under the Vehicle Scheme Beneficiaries Regulations 1977. No age split is recorded for this group.