HC Deb 30 March 1988 vol 130 cc537-8W
Mr. Henderson

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people received(a) provisional assessments; and (b) final assessments of under 14 per cent. in respect of disability benefit in the 12 months prior to September 1986; and what was the total amount paid.

Mr. Scott

[holding answer 28 March 1988]: I have been asked to reply.

The information is as follows for the period 1 October 1985 to 30 September 1986.

Number
Provisional assessments less than 14 per cent. 53,850
Final assessments less than 14 per cent. 155,240
1 Includes some assessments also shown under provisional assessments.

Disablement benefit was paid in most of these cases as a lump sum gratuity. It is estimated that the total amount paid in this period was about £40 million.

Mr. Henderson

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people received(a) provisional assessments and (b) final assessments of 14 per cent. and higher in respect of disability benefit in the 12 months following September 1986; and what was the total amount paid.

Mr. Scott

[holding answer 28 March 1988]: I have been asked to reply.

To date information on assessments is available only for the six-month period 1 October 1986 to 4 April 1987. It is as follows:

Number
Provisional assessments 14 per cent. or more 5,175
Final assessments 14 per cent. or more 2,325

The total amount paid on these cases during this period is estimated to be about £5¾ million. Following changes introduced in October 1986 this sum consists mainly of weekly pensions, though it includes some lump sum gratuities.