§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what cognisance has been taken of the recent findings of the King's Fund in relation to the high incidence of illness and disability among those living on low incomes in the setting of levels of incapacity benefits; and what safeguards exist for the protection of those sufferers of less overt disabilities who are refused cover under private insurance arrangements. [36172]
§ Mr. BurtWe have noted the contents of the report. The level at which benefits for incapacity are set reflects our commitment to provide national insurance benefits for people who are incapable of work within a structure that is sustainable and affordable in the long term. Income support is available for people whose income, from private health insurance or elsewhere, is insufficient to meet their needs.
§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many medical examination's for the all work test of incapacity have taken place(a) in total and (b) by region; and how many (i) in total and (ii) by region have been scheduled for examination but have not yet taken place. [35251]
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of incapacity benefit is a matter for Mr. Ian Magee, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Ian Magee to Mr. Keith Bradley, dated 18 July 1995:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the number of medical examinations for the all work test of incapacity that have taken place (a) in total and (b) by region; and how many (i) in total and (ii) by region have been scheduled for examination but have not yet taken place.1489WFigures for the total number of examinations that have been carried out and for the number of scheduled are available to the end of May 1995. There are as follows:
- Examinations carried out: 650
- Examinations scheduled but not carried out: 5,284
Figures are not available by region.I hope you find this reply helpful.
§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how may IBSO all-work test questionnaires have been issued by his Department(a) in total and (b) by region; how many of these have (i) been returned and (ii) not been returned by the claimant within the time allowed; and how many are still outstanding. [35296]
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of incapacity benefit is a matter for Mr. Ian Magee, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.
Letter from Ian Magee to Mr. Keith Bradley, dated 18 July 1995:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about Incapacity Benefit all-work questionnaires.The information requested is not available by region and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The total number of IB50 all-work test questionnaires issued by computer system up to an including 31 May 1995 is 200,311.From this total, 77,203 were returned up to and including 31 May 1995, 2,800 were not returned by customers within the time allowed and the number still outstanding is 123,108.In addition to system produced questionnaires, a small number of questionnaires are issued clerically by Benefits Agency district offices. Statistics relating to the numbers of questionnaires issued clerically could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.I hope you find this reply helpful.
§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what training has been given on mental health to the Benefits Agency Medical Service staff who have been recruited to undertake the new test of incapacity. [35298]
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of invalidity benefit is a matter for Mr. Ian Magee, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Ian Magee to Mr. Keith Bradley, dated 18 July 1995:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the training given on mental health to the Benefits Agency (BA) Medical Service staff who have been recruited to undertake the new test of incapacity.All doctors employed by BA Medical Services are full registered medical practitioners with previous clinical experience. The majority of the doctors employed on a sessional basis are either practising or retired General Practitioners with experience of treating patients with mental health problems. In addition, every doctor who will carry out all work test assessments has to undergo specific training to do the work.All full-time and short-term contract doctors attend a two day further medical education conference during which there is a session devoted specifically to the assessment of mental health problems. This session is led by a consultant psychiatrist and covers the latest thinking in the treatment of mental health problems. It also includes discussion of a video recording of demonstration assessment interviews.In addition, all doctors, full-time, contract and sessional, who are to carry out the all work test assessment undergo a process of approval to do the work. The approval process starts with four days of classroom based training. This includes a module designed1490Wspecifically to cover the assessment of mental health problems. The module also incorporates discussion of demonstration mental health interviews.I hope you find this reply helpful.