§ Mr. RowlandsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals in each of the benefit districts in Wales have been lodged against the withdrawal of the reduction in earnings allowance. [40464]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThis information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. RowlandsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimate his Department has 855W made of the number of appeals to be made in England and Wales against the withdrawal of the reduced earnings allowance; [40468]
(2) how many additional staff have been employed and how many man hours have been devoted to deal with the outstanding appeals made to date against the withdrawal of the reduced earnings allowance. [40461]
§ Mr. EvansThe information is not available in the format requested.
It was estimated that approximately 25 per cent. of reduced allowance recipients transferred to retirement allowance following the introduction of amending legislation would appeal against the adjudication officer's decision.
Based on this assumption the cost in staff time for the Benefits Agency is estimated at a total of 15.81 man years. This figure is provisional and may be subject to change.
Offices have been provided with resources accordingly to enable them to deal with the extra work arising from these appeals.
§ Mr. RowlandsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individual appeals against the withdrawal of the reduced earning allowances have been heard; and what percentage of appeals heard have found in favour of the appellants. [40469]
§ Mr. RowlandsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the average cost to an individual who has lost his reduced earnings allowance as a result of recent regulations in each of the benefit districts in Wales. [40467]
§ Mr. EvansThe information is not available in the format requested.
Reduced earnings allowance recipients who are over pensionable age and who are not in regular employment have been transferred to retirement allowance in accordance with the Social Security (Industrial Injuries and Diseases) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1996, which came into effect on 24 March 1996. The average difference between reduced earnings allowance and retirement allowance is estimated to be around £29.00. This may be offset by additional income-related benefit entitlement for some retirement allowance recipients.