§ Mr. MossTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average length of time an individual claimant has to wait for a decision on their claim for benefit from an adjudication officer or tribunal hearing from the time that individual becomes unemployed.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe average time taken to clear benefit claims is calculated by reference to the date a claim is received rather than from the date of unemployment and the date a decision is made by the adjudication officer. The two main benefits concerned are unemployment benefit and income support. The latest available information from 31 May 1990 is as follows:
Benefit Average clearance time Income support 4.6 days Information is not available in the form requested for claims to unemployment benefit or for decisions made by social security appeals tribunals and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.