§ Mr HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on her proposals to reform disability benefit. [21006]
§ Mr. DenhamWe are committed to modernising the Social Security system so that it helps people to work as far as they are able; provides appropriate support to those who cannot work; and makes the most effective use of the resources available. We want to encourage people who are disabled, or who have long-term health problems, to play a full part in society and to help them to help themselves wherever that is possible. This means being positive about people's abilities and their capacity, rather than negative about their disabilities and incapacity. And it means getting the right mix of cash and services to people who cannot work, but who need to be enabled to live independently and with dignity.
As part of this process up to £195 million has been made available from the Windfall Tax to test a range of options to help people with long-term health problems or disabilities to move into, or remain in, work. In tandem with this developmental work we are reviewing, as part of our Comprehensive Spending Review, benefits paid to sick and disabled people in order to consider whether the current system meets our objectives and, if not, what changes might be made.
459W
§ Mr. RooneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list for each year since 1991–92 the number of claimants of(a) disability living allowance (care), (b) disability living allowance (mobility) and (c) attendance allowance; and for each year what was the total expenditure broken down between benefit payments and administration costs expressed (i) in cash terms and (ii) at September 1997 prices. [22159]
§ Mr. DenhamThe administration of Social Security benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.
People claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Mobility Allowance (MobA), and Attendance Allowance (AA)1 Thousands 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 DLA care2 3n/a 590 742 908 1,085 1,249 DLA mobility2 3n/a 982 1,137 1,308 1,486 1,629 MobA4 699 — — — — — AA2 51,059 890 962 1,046 1,108 1,166 1 Figures relate to people being paid the benefit and exclude those where payment is suspended. 2 Source: 5 per cent, data and figures relate to end of February. 3 Disability Living Allowance was introduced in April 1992. 4 Source: 100 per cent. data and figures relate to 31 March 1992. 5 Source: 100 per cent. data with adjustments to reflect the extent to which live cases were overstated. Figures relate to 31 March 1992.
Programme expenditure (Source: Departmental Report) Cash £ million 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 DLA care 1n/a 753 1,116 1,309 1,642 1,926 DLA mobility 1n/a 1,220 1,656 1,816 2,160 2,435 AA 1,706 1,553 1,795 1,963 2,194 2,421 1 Disability Living Allowance was introduced in April 1992.
Programme expenditure (Source: Departmental report) Prices £ million 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 DLA care 1n/a 853 1,229 1,420 1,733 1,978 DLA mobility 1n/a 1,382 1,823 1,969 2,280 2,501 AA 2,014 1,760 1,976 2,128 2,316 2,486 1Disability Living Allowance was introduced in April 1992.
Administration costs £ million Year DLA AA 1992–93 138.8 74.2 1993–94 142.8 67 1994–95 157.5 72.2 1995–96 152.4 96.5 1996–97 147.2 82.1
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what assessment she has made of the length of time it takes to review cases in which disability living allowance has been withdrawn; [22056]
(2) if she will expedite the review of the case of Mrs. N. L. Underwood of 82 Juniper Road, Christchurch in respect of disability living allowance. [22067]
§ Mr. DenhamThe administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with further details.
460WLetter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Terry Rooney, dated 22 December 1997:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to respond to your recent parliamentary question asking if she will list for each year since 1991–92 the number of claimants of (a) disability living allowance (care), (b) disability living allowance (mobility) and (c) attendance allowance; and for each year what was the total expenditure broken down between benefit payments and administration costs expressed (i) in cash terms and (ii) at September 1997 prices.The information regarding admin expenditure is not available in the format requested. The information that is available is detailed in the table.I hope you find this reply helpful.Letter for Peter Mathison to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 22 December 1997:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions concerning the length of time it takes to review cases in which Disability Living Allowance (DLA) has been withdrawn.The current Secretary of State targets for clearing DLA review claims are 60 per cent. within 55 working days and 80 per cent. within 75 working days. These targets have been set to take account of the fact that reviews can take time to complete, because the review process frequently involves gathering further information. As at November 1997, the DLA review year to date achievement is 62.41 per cent. in 55 working days and 84.89 per cent. in 75 working days.Mrs. Underwood of Christchurch was awarded the Highest rate of the Mobility Component from 17.12.93 to 16.12.97. On the 10 October 1997 a completed renewal claim pack was received from Mrs. Underwood. On 29 October 1997, an independent Adjudication Officer (AO) decided that, on the basis of the information provided by Mrs. Underwood, she did not satisfy any of the conditions for an award of the mobility component.461WOn the 25 November a letter requesting a review was received from Mrs. Underwood which also provided further information. On the 5 December 1997 a report was received from Mrs. Underwood's consultant, Dr. Moran, Department of Rheumatology. On receipt of this further information the papers were passed onto a different AO who re-appraised the case and decided that Mrs. Underwood did satisfy the conditions for an award of the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component from 17 December 1997. Mrs. Underwood was informed of the revised award by telephone on the 18 December 1997.I hope you find the reply helpful.