HC Deb 24 November 1995 vol 267 cc403-4W
Mr. Bradley

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many of the people disallowed invalidity benefit following the all-work test between April and September 1995 made a claim to unemployment benefit and(a) received unemployment benefit only, (b) received unemployment benefit and income support, (c) received income support only, (d) received credits only and (e) were not entitled; how many were signing on pending an appeal against disallowance of incapacity benefit; and how many were referred to the placing, assessment and counselling teams. [1837]

Mr. Forth

Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Keith Bradley, dated 24 November 1995: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about how many of the people disallowed Incapacity Benefit (IB) following the All Work Test between April and September 1995, made a claim to unemployment benefit and about the outcome of those claims. In the period April to September 1995, 8,974 people disallowed IB following the All Work Test made a claim to unemployment benefits. Of these, 34 had their claims disallowed because they did not meet the conditions for receiving such benefits by being available for and actively seeking work. Information is not collected centrally about the nature of the benefit received by the remainder. Also we do not keep records of the number of people who while making a claim for unemployment benefits are also making an appeal against the decision of the Benefits Agency adjudication officer to disallow IB. This is because such appeals have no effect on a claim to unemployment benefits. During the same period, 2624 people who had been disallowed IB were referred to our Placing, Assessment and Counselling Teams for specialist assessment and help. I hope this is helpful.

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