§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what evidence he has as to the reasons for changes in the number of claims for sickness and invalidity benefits and in periods of sick leave since 1985.
§ Mr. ScottThis Department has undertaken an extensive programme of research into the factors underlying the growth in caseloads of invalidity benefit. This consisted of five reports which were published last autumn. Copies have been placed in the Library. We have also commissioned research on employers' responses to the 1991 changes in statutory sick pay. The report, which will include an analysis of factors affecting sickness rates and control of sickness absence, will be published shortly.