HC Deb 23 February 1994 vol 238 cc235-6W
Mrs. Bridget Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals there were against invalidity benefit being removed in(a) Lewisham and (b) London in 1993.

Mr. Scott

This 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.

Letter from M. Bichard to Mrs. Bridget Prentice, dated 22 February 1994: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about appeals against removal of Invalidity Benefit (IVB) in Lewisham and London. The information is not available in the exact format requested. This is because Benefits Agency District boundaries do not correspond with county or borough boundaries. The Benefit Agency's Lewisham District Office is responsible for Lewisham postal addresses but also for some adjacent areas. However, benefits work appropriate to Lewisham DO and a number of other Districts within the London area is dealt with by the Belfast Benefits Centre. Statistics maintained by the Benefits Centre are available to show numbers of appeals received appropriate to each District. Within these figures it is possible to identify the numbers of appeals against removal of IVB. As figures cannot be further broken down geographically, the figure for Lewisham District may include appeals received from people living outside the Lewisham postal district. In 1993, the number of appeals received against removal of IVB, appropriate to Lewisham District, was 31. Although a number of the Agency's Districts within the London area have their benefits work dealt with at Benefit Centres, others process work within the District. Districts generally comprise a District Office and one or more Branch Offices. In some instances Districts have offices both inside and outside the London postal area. In addition, some Districts deal with IVB appeals at one site within that District. Statistics held by Districts regarding numbers of appeals could not therefore give a reliable figure for those appropriate to London. For this reason the statistics below are those provided by the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS) for their London North and London South regions; and show the numbers of appeals received concerning IVB in the quarter ended March 1993 to be as follows:—

  • London North—427
  • London South—349

As these statistics represent all IVB appeals received, they will include cases where IVB is removed, or reduced. In addition, as the ITS regions include additional areas to the London postal area, the figures will include appeals received from people living outside that area.

  • The statistics provided are the latest supplied by ITS.
  • I hope you find this reply helpful.