HC Deb 23 June 1980 vol 987 cc64-5W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women have claimed non-contributory invalidity pension for each year since it was introduced; how many claims were refused in each case; and what proportion of those women who have been awarded non-contributory invalidity pension in each year since it was introduced had been in work prior to their disability.

Mr. Prentice

Information on the number of single women claiming non-contributory invalidity pension is not available.

Because of the administrative arrangements that were applied when non-contributory invalidity pension for married women was introduced, statistics covering the period up to March 1978 are not readily available. The figures covering the period since March 1978 are as follows:—

Numbers of claims received Numbers of claims disallowed
16.3.1978–31.12.1978
12,598 5,080
1.1.1979–31.12.1979
12,378 6,537
1.1.1980–13.6.1980
5,663 3,079

Figures showing what proportion of women awarded benefit each year had been in work prior to their disability could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the available evidence suggests that the majority of new beneficiaries have some kind of recent work record.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much he estimates it would cost to abolish the household duties test for women claiming non-contributory invalidity benefit; and how many women he estimates would be able to claim if the test were abolished.

Mr. Prentice

It is estimated that as many as 240,000 women would become entitled to non-contributory invalidity pension for married women if the household duties test were abolished. The gross cost of paying benefit to these married women would be about £168 million at current benefit rates.

Mrs. Renée

Short asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what plans he has to change the criteria relating to normal household duties in claims for non-contributory invalidity pension; and if he will make a statement;

(2) when he expects the report of the National Insurance Advisory Committee into the non-contributory invalidity pension to be published.

Mr. Prentice

My right hon. Friend has received the National Insurance Advisory Committee's report on non-contributory invalidity pension for married women and has arranged for it to be published. It is expected to be available about the middle of July. The report is being studied urgently but it is too early to make a statement.