§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the total number of self-employed people in Wales; and what estimate he has of the number claiming(a) sickness benefit, (b) invalidity benefit, (c) severe disablement allowance, (d) income support, (e) attendance allowance, (f) mobility allowance, (g) invalid care allowance, (h) maternity allowance, (i) child benefit, (j) one-parent benefit, (k) widow's payment, (l) basic pension, (m) family credit and (n) housing benefit.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of social security benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones, dated 18 May 1993:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security, asking what are the total number of self-employed people in Wales; and what estimate he has of the number claiming (a) Sickness Benefit, (b) Invalidity Benefit, (c) Severe Disablement Allowance, (d) Income Support, (e) Attendance Allowance, (f) Mobility Allowance, (g) Invalid Care Allowance, (h) Maternity Allowance, (i) Child Benefit, (j) One Parent Benefit, (k) Widow's payment, (l) Basic Pension, (m) Family Credit and (n) Housing Benefit.
It is not possible to give a valid estimate for the complete range of information requested. For several of these benefits self-employed status is not relevant to the determination of entitlement. Nor are relevant statistics routinely collected from which estimates of other benefits claimed by self-employed people in Wales could be devised.
However, estimates are available for Sickness Benefit, Invalidity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance and Family Credit. These were based on a sample collected from the Social Security Management Information Statistics. The sample also included Housing Benefit, but the figures obtained do not provide a basis for a reasonable estimate. The available estimates are appended.
I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.
Estimated number of self-employed recipients in Wales Benefit Estimated number Sickness benefit 13,700 Invalidity benefit 19,300 Severe disability allowance 1300 Family credit 24,000 1 1 per cent, sample taken on 30 March 1991. 2 5 per cent, sample taken on 31 October 1992.
§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what efforts have been undertaken by his Department to conduct publicity campaigns aimed at the self-employed in Wales to publicise(a) their obligation to pay national insurance contributions and (b) their social security benefit entitlements.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe provision of publicity and information on social security benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
184WLetter from Mr. Michael Bichard to Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones, dated 18 May 1993:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking what efforts have been undertaken by his Department to conduct publicity campaigns aimed at the self-employed in Wales to (a) publicise their obligation to pay National Insurance contributions and (b) publicise their social security benefit entitlements.
I have consulted with my colleague Ann Chant, Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency, for the details on the National Insurance contribution aspect of your question and include this aspect in my reply.
The Benefits Agency, in line with the Department of Social Security's bilingual policy for Wales, has set up a Welsh Language Unit which has responsibility for implementing the policy.
All the leaflets giving information on social security benefits and NI contributions are available in Wales and there is a continuing programme to produce them in bilingual versions. Many of the most widely used leaflets (such as Which benefit?) are already in bilingual form and there are a number of widely used claim forms in Welsh. A bilingual poster advising customers of the new Quarterly Billing system for payment of NI contributions has been displayed recently in district offices.
Evidently, the process of producing further bilingual material is a gradual one and we are committed to making continued progress in this work. One of the leaflets currently in bilingual production is FB 30 Self Employed? Also, there will shortly be bilingual material available on the Contributions Agency's charter and the service they provide.
In addition, there is the Welsh Freeline telephone number —providing general information on benefits in Welsh to all customers, including the self employed.
I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.