§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were(a) the original estimated savings from the introduction of the incapacity benefit for the years 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 and (b) the updated estimates for each of these periods; and if he will make a statement. [12245]
§ Mr. BurtThe original estimates for savings from the introduction of incapacity benefit were published in the Financial Memorandum to the Incapacity for Work Bill. Information from the Financial Memorandum is reproduced in the table.
Estimated saving (£ million) 1995–69 410 1996–97 1,185 1997–98 1,720 A variety of factors will influence performance against these estimates including the decision to control the rate of processing of pre-April 1995 invalidity benefit cases to match operational performance. It is not yet possible reliably to estimate the overall effect on the original savings estimates.
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§ Mr. CallaghanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many decisions to award incapacity benefit have been issued(a) nationally and (b) in the Greater Manchester area since April 1995; [12234]
(2) how many decisions to refuse incapacity benefit applications have been issued since April 1995 (a) nationally, (b) in the Greater Manchester area and (c) in the borough of Rochdale. [12335]
§ Mr. BurtThe information is not available in the format requested. The available information is in the table.
Allowed following reference to BAMS on the all-work test Disallowed following reference to BAMS on the all-work test1 National 302,048 45,085 Greater Manchester 23,752 3,523 Rochdale 670 120 1 Includes disallowances following failure to return the all work test questionnaire and failure to attend for medical examination. BAMS—Benefits Agency Medical Services.
1. All information to end of November 1995.
2. Data for greater Manchester covers the BA districts of: South Cheshire, Stockport, Tameside, Manchester South, Manchester Central, Salford, Sale/East Cheshire, Oldham, Manchester Trinity, Blackburn/Accrington, Bolton/Farnworth, Burnley/Pendle/Rossendale, West Pennine (including Rochdale office) and Wigan and Leigh.
3. The data is provisional and reflects activity during a time when the take-on of cases has been carefully controlled to ensure that the flow of work does not exceed operational capacity. It is, therefore, too early to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of the new procedures.
§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applicants for incapacity benefit passed the all-work test and were deemed fit for employment in the most recent period for which he has figures. [13128]
Mr. Burt: The information is in the table:
Number Found incapable of work following reference to BAMS on the all-work test 302,048 Found capable of work following reference to BAMS on the all-work test1 45,085 1 Includes disallowances following failure to return the all-work test questionnaire and failure to attend for medical examination. 1. All information to end of November 1995.
2. The data is provisional and reflects activity during a time when the take-on of cases has been carefully controlled to ensure that the flow of work does not exceed operational capacity. It is, therefore, too early to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of the new procedures.
§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average length of time taken to hear an appeal against the disallowance of incapacity benefit under the all-work test in the northern region in 1995. [13200]