HC Deb 15 December 1998 vol 322 cc491-2W
Mr. Quentin Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many incapacity benefit paper appeals relating to the all-work-test were processed in the last four quarters for which figures are available; and what percentage was decided in the claimant's favour. [63958]

Angela Eagle

The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

Incapacity benefit (all works test)
Paper breakdown
All appeals Percentage in appellant's favour
Q2 1998 2,880 11.9
Q1 1998 4,036 12.2

Notes:

Q2 April—June 1998

Q1 January—March 1998

Source:

100 per cent. computer extract from Independent Tribunal Service (ITS) systems

Mr. Quentin Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many incapacity benefit appeals relating to the all-work-test were heard in the last four quarters for which figures are available; and what percentage were decided in the appellant's favour where the appellant(a) attended the hearing but was not represented, (b) was represented but did not attend, (c) attended and was represented and (d) did not attend and was not represented. [63957]

Angela Eagle

The information is in the table.

Incapacity benefit (all work test)
Q2 1998 Q1 1998 Q4 1997 Q3 1997
Appellant only attended
All appeals 4,100 4,226 3,714 3,793
Percentage in appellant's favour 52.6 52.2 54.1 51.4
Representative only attended
All appeals 260 240 237 220
Percentage in appellant's favour 50.8 57.5 45.1 43.2
Both attended
All appeals 4,281 3,723 4,249 4,094
Percentage in appellant's favour 67.5 68.2 70.2 69.2
Not attended
All appeals 3,998 3,485 4,834 5,005
Percentage in appellant's favour 24.2 25.3 14.5 10.9

Notes:

Q2 April—June 1998

Q1 Janury—March 1998

Q4 October—December 1997

Q3 July—September 1997

Source:

100 per cent. computer extract from Independent Tribunal Service (ITS) systems

Mr. Quentin Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many incapacity benefit claimants have(a) failed the all-work test, (b) appealed against disallowance of the test, (c) had their benefit re-instated prior to the hearing of the appeal and (d) had their appeals upheld. [63956]

Mr. Timms

Between April 1995 and 31 August 1998, 321,791 claims for Incapacity Benefit were disallowed following examination under the all work test.

Up to 31 August 1998, 169,247 appeals had been lodged with the Independent Tribunal Service. In the cases appealed, 2,797 decisions were reversed on review by the adjudication officer and 49,951 by an appeal tribunal.