§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are his latest estimates of the numbers of people who will receive(a) short-term incapacity benefit at the lower rate, (b) short-term incapacity benefit at the higher rate and (c) the long-term rate of incapacity benefit, in each of the years (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98 and 1998–99. [17440]
§ Mr. HagueThe available information is in the table.
Estimated number of people in receipt of Incapacity Benefit at the end of March in each year Thousand 1996 1997 1998 1999 Short-term Incapacity Benefit (lower rate) 145 145 145 145 Short-term Incapacity Benefit (higher rate) 110 110 110 115 Long-term Incapacity Benefit 1,545 1,430 1,380 1,340 Notes:
- 1. Estimates are provisional and as such will be subject to revision at a later stage.
- 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5,000.
- 3. Figures take account of the estimated effect of the new medical test.
§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 23 January,Official 840W Report, column 83, if he will explain how the 48 per cent. of savings resulting from the exclusion of existing claimants of incapacity benefit is to be achieved; and whether this 48 per cent. includes the 41 per cent. of savings arising from the exclusion of existing claimants by the medical test. [17436]
§ Mr. HagueThe answer was incorrectly printed in theOfficial Report. It should have read:
In 1995–96, 13 per cent. of the estimated savings are accounted for by the exclusion of new claimants as a result of the medical test of incapacity and 41 per cent. by the exclusion of existing claimants. In 1996–97, 17 per cent. of the estimated savings are accounted for by the exclusion of new claimants as a result of the medical test and 48 per cent. by the exclusion of existing claimants.All the estimated savings to which the answer refers are to be achieved by the application of the medical test of incapacity.