HC Deb 04 February 1998 vol 305 cc696-7W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate (i) in total, (ii) for men and women separately and (ii) for each region and nation the number of claimants of disability living allowance(a) care and (b) mobility components who are also claiming jobseekers allowance; and what is this figure as a percentage of the total of such claims. [22977]

Mr. Denham

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

There are only limited statistics on people who receive both Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) because of the small numbers involved. About 0.5 per cent. of the DLA recipients receive both benefits.

Jobseeker's Allowance recipients also in receipt of DLA at February 1997
000s
All Men Women
Great Britain
Mobility only 3 2 1
Care only 2 2 1
Care and Mobility 4 3 1
Total 9 7 2
England
Mobility only 3 2 1
Care only 2 2 1
Care and Mobility 3 2 1
Total 8 6 2
Scotland
Mobility only
Care only
Care and Mobility
Total 1
Wales
Mobility only
Care only
Care and Mobility
Total 1

Notes:

1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand and may not sum.

2. All figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand. Figures under 500 are therefore not shown.

3. Sample size 5 per cent.

4. It is only possible to provide reliable data on JSA claimants also receiving DLA where income based JSA is in payment.

5. It is not possible to provide a breakdown by region due to the small number of sample cases involved at this level.

Source:

Jobseeker's Allowance Quarterly Statistical Enquiry: February 1997.

Mr. Fitzpatrick

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average age of people receiving disability living allowance at the time of their initial claim for(a) the mobility component and (b) the care component, broken down separately for men and women. [26165]

Mr. Denham

The information requested is set out in the table.

Average ages of people receiving disability living allowance at the time of their initial claim
All persons Men Women
Mobility component 45 44 46
Care component 43 42 45

Notes:

Figures based on claims made in the 12 months ending 30 November 1997.

Source:

Analytical Services Division: 5 per cent data.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations she has had from the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux concerning the complexity of the new arrangement in place since last July for those claiming benefit under the disability living allowance. [25061]

Mr. Denham

No new arrangements for claiming Disability Living Allowance were introduced last July and we have not received any representations from the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (NACAB) regarding the claims process since that date.

Pensioners receiving income related benefits in the United Kingdom by region, May 1996
Region Number of recipients Income support Percentage of all aged 60 or over Number of recipients Housing benefit Percentage of all aged 60 or over Number of recipients Council tax benefit Percentage of all aged 60 or over
United Kingdom (millions) 1.8 15.3 1.9 16.3 2.7 22.7
Northern Ireland 73,000 25.9 49,000 17.5 118,000 6.5
Great Britain (millions) 1.7 15.0 1.9 16.3 2.7 23.1
Scotland 176,000 17.0 230,000 22.2 292,000 28.2
Wales 107,000 16.3 88,000 13.4 131,000 20.0
South East (excluding London) 258,000 11.3 282,000 12.4 406,000 17.8
London (Inner and Outer) 217,000 17.7 247,000 20.2 301,000 24.6
North 110,000 16.7 137,000 20.8 185,000 28.1
Yorkshire and Humberside 171,000 16.5 192,000 18.5 279,000 26.8
East Midlands 117,000 13.7 122,000 14.3 189,000 22.1
East Anglia 59,000 12.4 68,000 14.4 102,000 21.6
South West 131,000 11.5 128,000 11.2 199,000 17.4
West Midlands 182,000 16.8 190,000 17.5 291,000 26.9
North West 237,000 18.2 223,000 17.1 342,000 26.3
1 Council Tax does not apply to Northern Ireland. Figure quoted for Northern Ireland is for rates.

Notes:

1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

2. Income related benefits are Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Family Credit and Disability Working Allowance.

3. Information refers to benefit units which may be a single person or a couple.

4. Figures may not sum due to rounding.

5. The information excludes second adult rebate cases.

6. There is an overlap in the figures as most people receive both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

7. Pensioners are defined here as being in receipt of a pensioner premium or where the claimant or partner is aged 60 or over.

Sources:

1. Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, May 1996.

2. Housing Benefit Management Information System, annual 1 per cent. sample inquiries for recipients with and without Income Support taken at the end of May 1996.

3. Office for National Statistics, estimates of the population mid-term 1996.