§ Ms CoffeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants contacted the Benefits Agency out-of-hours emergency service for each of the last five years; and if he will break down the figures by(a) age and (b) reason for application. [29839]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThis is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Ms Ann Coffey, dated 21 May 1996:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many claimants contacted the Benefits Agency out-of-hours emergency service for each of the last five years; and if he will break down the figures by (a) age and (b) reason for application.The information is not available in the format requested. Statistics are not kept which show the age of the customers referred to the out-of-hours service or their reason for application. Also, statistics were not kept of the number of referrals to out-of-hours prior to 91/92.However listed below is the number of referrals for the statistical years (ending October) 91/92, 92/93, 93/94 and 94/95. It should be noted that the term "referral" is defined as a contact by the customer or by a third party on their behalf.
Statistical year Number of referrals 1991–92 21,709 1992–93 42,722 1993–94 47,994 1994–95 48,744 Figures are provisional and subject to amendment.
I hope you find this reply helpful.
Value of income support/supplementary benefit at current prices £ million 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 Great Britain 6,063 7,053 9,871 9,930 9,329 10,431 — 11,378 11,307 10,963
Value of income support/supplementary benefit at current prices £ million DSS administrative region 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 North Eastern 1,613 1,536 1,811 2,109 2,582 2,416 2,346 London North 1,511 1,608 2,099 2,722 3,313 3,187 3,137 London South 1,434 1,505 1,924 2,423 3,104 2,945 2,801 Wales and South West 1,286 1,296 1,688 2,051 2,426 2,223 2,128 Midlands 1,625 1,620 1,895 2,330 2,852 2,671 2,600 North western 1,647 1,595 1,844 2,153 2,573 2,407 2,342 Wales 588 587 723 852 998 929 947 Scotland 1,109 1,084 1,243 1,409 1,610 1,529 1,479 Great Britain 10,226 10,248 12,504 15,196 18,462 17,377 16,833 Source:Social Security statistics 1979 to 1988 (income support/supplementary benefit annual inquiries). Income support statistics annual inquiries 1989 to 1993, Income support statistics quarterly inquiry May 1994–95.
Notes:
1. Figures prior to 1988 are from November/December of the year. Figures from 1988 onwards are from May of each year.
2. All expenditure figures have been rounded to the nearest million.
3. No regional figures are available for the years 1979 to 1988.
4. Figures are not available for 1985.
5. Cash values have been inflated by the GDP deflator at market prices so that the whole series time is expressed in 1996–97 prices.
6. Income support replaced supplementary benefit in 1988.
7. DSS administrative regions are based on boundaries which existed before the Benefits Agency was introduced in April 1991 and have been used for reasons of consistency.
286W
§ Ms CoffeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to make available emergency financial provision to claimants following the proposed abolition of the Benefits Agency emergency service. [29838]
§ Mr. EvansThis is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Ms Ann Coffey, dated 21 May 1996:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what proposals he has to make available emergency financial provision to claimants following the proposed abolition of the Benefits Agency emergency service.As you will be aware I recently outlined the BA's plans for the future delivery of social security benefits based on the BA vision of "right money to the right person at the right time, every time".It is against this background that the Agency has declined to review the need for the out of hours service and the London Emergency Office which provides a service to customers at night and weekends. A decision on the future of the service is expected during this year.I hope you find this reply helpful.