HC Deb 16 October 1996 vol 282 cc1025-6W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are currently in receipt of incapacity benefit; and at what total annual cost. [40848]

Mr. Lilley

At 31 May 1996, the latest date for which figures are available, 1.8 million people were in receipt of incapacity benefit.1 The estimated cost for the year 1995–96 is £8,120 million2.

Sources:

1. 5 per cent. sample from the incapacity benefit computer system. Excludes a small number of cases not on the system.

2. Social Security Departmental Report (March 1996).

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals have been lodged against a disallowance of incapacity benefit in the benefits districts covering(a) Doncaster and (b) Mexborough in each quarter since April 1995; how many of these have been from (i) new incapacity benefit claimants and (ii) former claimants of invalidity benefit; in each case, how many appeals have been (x) disallowed, (y) superseded and (z) found in the claimants' favour; and how many are outstanding. [40837]

Mr. Burt

I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people disallowed incapacity benefit have successfully made claims to unemployment benefits or credits of national insurance in the Employment Service in(a) Doncaster and (b) Mexborough districts in each quarter since April 1995. [40841]

Mr. Lilley

The available information is in the tables.

Doncaster offices of the Employment Service
Quarter ending Number of claims for unemployment benefits/National Insurance credits at Employment Service office by people found capable of work under the all work test
June 1995 3
September 1995 19
December 1995 30

Doncaster offices of the Employment Service
Quarter ending Number of claims for unemployment benefits/National Insurance credits at Employment Service office by people found capable of work under the all work test
March 1996 67
June 1996 108
September 1996 75
Mexborough offices of the Employment Service.
Quarter ending Number of claims for unemployment benefits/National Insurance credits at Employment Service office by people found capable of work under the all work test
June 1995 2
September 1995 92
December 1995 73
March 1996 68
June 1996 139
September 1996 140

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