§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimate of the likely increased level of appeals under the new test for incapacity benefit; and what extra resources are being allocated to the independent tribunal service to deal with that increase.
§ Mr. HagueCurrent planning assumptions are that the number of appeals which will be lodged on the question of incapacity will be in the region of 140,000 in 1995–96. As it will take several months to prepare each appeal for hearing, not all these appeals will be cleared during the year. The Independent Tribunal Service will be allocated sufficient funds to deal with as many appeals as they expect to have available for hearing.
§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to channel extra resources to(a) local enterprise companies, (b) local authorities and (c) the Employment Service for retraining, rehabilitation and other strategies in respect of current invalidity benefit recipients who will lose entitlement following the introduction of incapacity benefit.
§ Mr. HagueI have no such plans.
The function of incapacity benefit is to help those incapable of work because of their condition. The provision of services supporting those seeking employment is primarily a matter for the Employment Department.
§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimate of the number of current recipients of invalidity benefit in Scotland, Strathclyde and the Benefits Agency districts contained within Benefits Agency area directorates 4 and 5.
§ Mr. HagueEstimates by region are not available. Estimates of the number of existing invalidity benefit recipients in Great Britain expected to be found capable by the new medical test of incapacity are in the table.
Year Number of recipients (thousands) 1995–96 140 1996–97 80 1997–98 20
§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimation of the rate at which current recipients will be medically examined by Benefits Agency medical service doctors under the new test in Scotland, Strathclyde and the Benefits Agency districts contained within Benefits Agency area directorates 4 and 5.
§ Mr. HagueFrom 13 April 1995, and over the following two to three years, the new test will be applied to all current recipients in those areas not in the exempt categories.