HC Deb 08 December 1995 vol 268 c432W
Mr. Bradley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants of incapacity benefit are currently exempt from the all-work test by virtue of(a) receipt of the highest rate of disability living allowance care component, (b) in receipt of invalidity benefit and aged over 58 years on 13 April, (c) with a serious medical condition and (d) with a serious mental illness. [1832]

Mr. Burt

Pursuant to his reply of 27 November, Official Report, c.513. The information I gave regarding the number of former invalidity benefit recipients who received benefit from 1 December 1993 and who were aged 58 or over on 13 April was incorrect. The correct information is as follows:

Reason for exemption from the all work test Number exempt
Receipt of the disability living allowance highest rate care component 20,976
Receipt of invalidity benefit between 1 December 1993 and 12 April 1995 and aged 58 or over on 13 April 1995 705,000
Severe medical condition, including severe mental illness 138,828

  1. 1. Figures for severe mental illness are not separately available.
  2. 2. Figures for exempt incapacity benefit claimants who are also in receipt of widow's benefit are not held on the computer system and are not included above.
  3. 3. Information available to end of October 1995.
  4. 4. Former recipients of invalidity benefit are tested as satisfying the all work test rather than being exempt from it.
  5. 5. The number of former invalidity benefit recipients who are treated as satisfying the all work test due to receipt of invalidity benefit on 1 December 1993 and being aged 58 or over on 13 April 1995 has been estimated and rounded to the nearest 5,000. Further information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.