HC Deb 19 January 1996 vol 269 cc823-5W
Mr. Bradley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what are the principal prescribed diseases for which reduced earnings allowance is currently claimed; [10120]

(2) what were the principal prescribed diseases for which reduced earnings allowance was claimed for the first time including back-dating claims in 1994 and 1995;[10121]

(3) how many (a) men and (b) women over pensionable age in receipt of reduced earnings allowance at the end of (i) 1994 and (ii) 1995 were in paid employment in each region; [10125]

(4) how many people were awarded, and how much money was paid in, claims, backdated more than 12 months, of reduced earnings allowance in 1994 and 1995, in each region; [10126]

(5) what was the average backdating of those claims backdated more than 12 months for reduced earnings allowance in 1994 and 1995. [10127]

Mr. Heald

The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Bradley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were awarded reduced earnings allowance for the first time in each of the months in(a) 1994 and (b) 1995. [10122]

Mr. Heald

The available information is in the table:

Awards1 of reduced earnings allowance commencing in the year ending 31 March 1994 analysed by month of commencement
Number
All months2 2,953
April 1993 623
May 1993 382
June 1993 376
July 1993 282
August 1993 141
September 1993 268
October 1993 423
November 1993 141
December 1993 80
January 1994 94
February 1994 94
March 1994 47
1A customer may be in receipt of more than one award.2 Figures may not sum due to calculation of allowance for late returns.

Mr. Bradley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) men and (b) women are currently in receipt of reduced earnings allowance in each region. [10123]

Mr. Heald

The latest available information is in the table.

Awards1 of reduced earnings allowance current at 2 April 1994 analysed by region
Men Women
Great Britain2 115,367 27,428
England 92,313 23,415
Northern 20,871 2,886
Yorkshire and Humberside 12,430 2,066
East Midlands 10,540 1,987
East Anglia 2,317 1,177
South-East 15,704 5,282
South-West 5,548 1,625
West Midlands 9,291 3,012
North-West 15,613 5,381
Scotland 9,412 1,710
Wales 12,922 2,095
Overseas 721 208
1A customer may be in receipt of more than one award.
2Figures may not sum due to calculation of allowance for late returns.

Figures include frozen reduced earnings allowance.

Mr. Bradley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) men and (b) women in receipt of reduced earnings allowance were over pensionable age, in each region, at the end of (i) 1994, and (ii) 1995. [10124]

Mr. Heald

The information requested is not available. The latest available information is in the table.

Awards2 of reduced earnings allowance current at 2 April 1994 for those over pensionable age1 analysed by region.
Men3 Women4
Great Britain5 42,744 12,089
England 32,538 10,013
Northern 7,352 1,166
Yorkshire and Humberside 5,148 920
East Midlands 3,922 751
East Anglia 810 416
South East 4,629 2,303
South West 1,966 633
West Midlands 3,456 1,087
North West 5,254 2,738
Scotland 3,360 771
Wales 6,660 1,186
Overseas 188 119

Note:

1Age at 31 March 1994

Includes frozen or restricted reduced earnings allowance.

2A customer may be in receipt of more than one award.

3Age 65 and over.

4Age 60 and over.

5Figures may not sum due to calculation for late returns.

Mr. Bradley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total amount currently paid in reduced earnings allowance each(a) week, (b) month, and (c) year to people over pensionable age. [10128]

Mr. Heald

The table gives current estimates of the amount paid.

£ million
Estimated amount currently paid to reduced earnings allowance recipients over pensionable age Total
(a) each week 2
(b) each month 8
(c) each year 85

1. Figures are rounded to the nearest £1 million, but are not accurate to that degree.

2. The figures for each month are based on a standard month of 4.33 weeks.

3. Figures are given at 1995–96 prices.

4. Includes frozen or restricted reduced earnings allowance payable to those who had retired before 10 April 1989.