HC Deb 11 January 1996 vol 269 cc329-31W
Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the backlog of family credit renewal claims awaiting processing during 1995; what change there has been in them in the last year and for what reasons; and what action is proposed to revise such backlog. [6317]

Mr. Roger Evans

This is a matter for Peter Mathison, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

Percentage
Permanent/fixed term appointments Fee paid
United Kingdom 16 84
Wales 18.55 81.45
England 14.80 85.20

I hope this reply is helpful.

Mr. Etherington

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list, by region, the total number of doctors employed(a) full-time and (b) part time by the Benefits Agency medical services; how many Benefits Agency medical services doctors in each region are aged (i) 65–70 years and (ii) over 70 years; and what are the terms of their Benefits Agency medical services contract. [6321]

Mr. Evans

The administration of the Benefits Agency medical services 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. William Etherington, dated 10 January 1996: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he will list, by region, the total number of Doctors employed (a) full-time and (b) part time by the Benefits Agency Medical Service (BAMS); how many BAMS Doctors in each region are aged (i) 65–70 years and (ii) over 70 years; and what are the terms of their BAMS contract. Information that is available in the outlined in Appendix A. Fee paid Doctors are contracted on a self-employed basis and are paid hourly for a three and half hour, half day session. I hope you find this reply helpful.

Letter front Peter Mathison to Mr. David Nicholson, dated 10 January 1996: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the backlog of Family Credit (FC) renewal claims awaiting processing during 1995; what change there has been in them in the last year and for what reasons; and what action is proposed to revise such backlog. At 30 November 1994, there were 34,570 outstanding renewal claims and at 30 November 1995, this had reduced to 33,191. This figure has varied during the year from between 25,589 and 37,168. When a customer wishes to renew entitlement to FC, a renewal claim is required. Such claims may be submitted up to four weeks prior to the expiry of the previous award. This four week period enables enquiries to be made without the customer suffering a gap in benefit payments. The FC Unit expect to receive a total of 900,000 renewal claims in the current financial year. The number of renewal claims received does vary throughout the year with two peak renewal periods. March and September. The Secretary of State has set two demanding targets for the clearance of all claims, including renewal claims to FC. These are that 60% of claims be cleared within 13 working days and that 95% be cleared within 42 working days. The FC Unit has achieved these targets throughout the current financial year. At the end of November 1995, the clearance of renewal claims stands at 71.3% cleared within 13 days and 98.5% cleared within 42 days. Management controls are in place to ensure that a high standard of service is maintained and that renewal claims to FC are decided as quickly as is possible. I hope you find this reply helpful.

Mr. Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of continuing medical education modules undertaken by all Benefits Agency medical services full-time doctors is dedicated to psychiatry and medical illness. [6272]

Mr. Evans

This 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. Ron Davies, dated 10 January 1996: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about what proportion of continuing medical education modules undertaken by all benefits. Agency Medical Services (BAMS) full-time Doctors is dedicated to psychiatry and medical illness. Approximately thirty per cent of the modules are devoted to psychiatric evaluation and assessment of effects of mental health problems. A balance of the modules is devoted to disability awareness and advances in management and evaluation of commonly occurring or complex medical conditions. I hope you find this reply helpful.