HC Deb 19 July 1995 vol 263 cc1285-6W
Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to simplify the AC1 claim form for health benefits and the eligibility criteria for health benefits; [35527]

(2) how many AC1 claim forms for health benefits were received in each of the last five years; how many were incorrectly filled in; and how much each one costs to process. [35528]

Mr. Malone

The national health service low income scheme was reviewed during 1991 to 1993. As the then Minister for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Dr. Mawhinney), stated on 15 February at column669, a large number of proposals had been considered but none had been identified for immediate change within what could be afforded. Form AG1 is kept under review and improvements made as and when the opportunity arises. In 1994–95 the estimated cost of processing an AG1 claim form was about £4.60. The available information about the number of AG1 claims received is shown in the table.

Year Number of AG1 claim forms received
1990–91 1,017,739
1991–92 1,166,960
1992–93 1,203,825
1993–94 1,265,837
1994–95 1,300,963

Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the health benefits scheme costs to run in total, and how much is expended in the benefits provided and to how many recipients in each benefit category. [35526]

Mr. Malone

The information is shown in the table.

National health service low income scheme: operating costs andexpenditure/revenue foregone on health benefits inEngland in 1994–95
Item Expenditure/revenue foregone [£ million]
Operating costs1 6.0
Prescription charge revenue foregone2 273.2
Dental charge revenue foregone3 193.3
Expenditure on free/reduced cost sight tests4 534.8
Expenditure on optical vouchers4 677.5

Notes:

1 Expenditure by the Prescription Pricing Authority. The expenditure includes the administration costs of the Authority's Health Benefits Division (HBD) in handling claims for health benefits under the NHS Low Income Scheme from people in Great Britain.

2 In respect of prescribed items dispensed free of charge to recipients of Income Support and Family Credit, holders of AG2 NHS charges certificates for full help and their partners.

3 In respect of treatment provided to recipients of Income Support and Family Credit, holders of AG2 NHS charges certificates for full help and holders of AG3 NHS charges certificates for limited help and their partners.

4 For recipients of Income Support and Family Credit, holders of AG2 NHS charges certificates for full help and holders of AG3 NHS charges certificates for limited help and their partners.

5Provisional figure. Includes the cost of domiciliary sight tests for housebound patients.

6 Provisional figure. Includes the cost of vouchers for repairs and replacements.