§ Dr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many British citizens have been refused income support and related benefits due to failure of the habitual resident test(a) in the last year and (b) in each of the previous five years. [14008]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyThe information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.
Numbers of adverse habitual residence tests by UK nationals April 1994 to March 1995 April 1995 to March 1996 April 1996 to March 1997 Income support 3,795 6,103 6,440 Jobseeker's allowance (income based) 2,608 Source:
Benefits Agency Management Information Statistics.
Notes:
1. The habitual residence test was introduced in income support on 1 August 1994. The test was carried forward to jobseeker's allowance (income based) on 7 October 1996.
2.Information regarding the numbers of UK Nationals failing the habitual residence test in respect of housing benefit and council tax benefit is not available.