§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many claims for incapacity benefit have been made since April in each of the benefit district offices that covers Doncaster and Mexborough; what percentages of these have been for(a) males and (b) females; and what percentages were unsuccessful; [8453]
(2) how many claims there have been for the new incapacity benefit in each of the benefit district offices that cover Doncaster and Mexborough; and how many of these were claimants with mental health problems. [8454]
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of incapacity benefit is a matter for Peter Mathison, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 31 January 1996:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about how many claims for incapacity benefit (IB) have been made since April in each of the benefit district offices that covers Doncaster and Mexborough; what percentage of these have been for (a) males and (b) females; and what percentage were unsuccessful; and how many of these were claimants with mental health problems.942WThe number of IB claims since April 1995 to November 1995 for Doncaster District is 5171. This District comprises of Doncaster East and Doncaster West Offices. Figures for the Mexborough Branch office, which forms part of the Rother and Dearne District are available for the same period. The number of IB claims is 1607.The percentage of claims for male and female and those that were unsuccessful could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Details about a persons incapacity, for example mental health problems, could also only be obtained at disproportionate cost.I hope you find this reply helpful.
§ Mr. CallaghanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average cost of each incapacity benefit appeal(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in the Greater Manchester area. [12236]
§ Mr. BurtThe average cost of an incapacity benefit appeal is estimated to be approximately £340. It is not possible to provide estimates of the average cost in individual areas.