§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 29 January,Official Report, columns 584–85, how the figures for savings on the disability living allowance as a result of improving the quality and level of information to decision-makers were calculated. [13435]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellAn examination of a statistically valid sample of new claims suggested that without further evidence the higher rate mobility component would be inappropriately awarded in about 12 per cent. of cases and inappropriately disallowed in a further 1 per cent. Further work to test the assumptions underlying these estimates is currently being evaluated.
The estimated savings took account of factors including forecasts of new claims and survival rates, the proportion of cases already subject to further evidence, the rate at which cases are reviewed, and passporting on to other benefits.