§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals received less in benefit under incapacity benefit than they would have done under invalidity benefit in each year since 1995–96. [21575]
§ Mr. DenhamIt is not possible to estimate with any accuracy how many individuals received less in benefit under Incapacity Benefit than they would have done under Invalidity Benefit.
§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of invalidity benefit there are in the Seaham and Peterlee Benefits Agency area. [21589]
§ Mr. DenhamThe administration of Incapacity Benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. John Cummings, dated 13 January 1998:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many recipients of Invalidity Benefit (IVB) there are in the Seaham and Peterlee Benefits Agency area.The information is not available in the format requested. IVB was replaced by Incapacity Benefit (IB) on 13 April 1995.The figures shown in the table below are for IB short term higher and IB long term, that is, cases from the 29th week of incapacity.246WPeterlee Benefit Agency Office: 7,400Seaham Benefit Agency Office: 2,760Figures are provisional and subject to change.The figures quoted are as at 31 May 1997, and are taken from a 5% sample of the IB computer system and exclude a small number of clerically processed cases.I hope you find this reply helpful.