§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if any recent changes have been made in the guidance given to doctors on assessment for invalidity benefit.
§ Mr. ScottIn February, the report form completed by the Benefits Agency's examining doctors was revised to provide fuller information about the medical condition and its effect on capacity for work for each claimant who is examined. Guidance notes for its completion were also issued and, in June, alterations were made to the "Standing Instructions on Reference Work" issued to the Department's examining doctors. Changes to the medical control procedures which apply to all claims for incapacity benefits, including invalidity benefit, were brought into full effect from 1 April 1993.
200W
§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total sum paid out in invalidity benefit in each of the past five years for which figure are available.
§ Mr. ScottThe information is in the table.
Year Expenditure (£ million) 1988–89 3,359 1989–90 3,837 1990–91 4,431 1991–92 5,347 11992–93 6,100 Source: The Social Security departmental report 1993.
1 Estimated outturn.