HC Deb 15 January 1998 vol 304 cc311-2W
Mr. Russell Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for disability living allowance were made during 1997; and how many were(a) refused on first application, (b) granted after tribunal and (c) granted after appeal. [23214]

Mr. Denham

The information is not available in the form requested because Disability Living Allowance statistics do not distinguish between reviews and appeals of first applications and reviews and appeals of existing awards. A claim may be successful on review or appeal for a variety of reasons, for example, because additional information has been received or the claimant's condition has deteriorated. Such information as is available is in the table.

Claims for disability allowance during 1997
Number
Claims received 488,253
Claims refused on first application1 66,338
Review decisions2 374,494
Reviews that are successful3 140,245
Appeal decisions4 35,696
Appeals that are successful5 19,335

Source:

Analytical Services Division; figures based on 100 per cent. data.

Notes:

1 Figures include claims received before 1997 but decided in 1997.

2 Includes both reviews of the first applications which were refused and reviews of existing awards.

3 Includes both successful reviews of first applications which were refused and existing awards where the award was increased.

4 Includes both decisions about first applications which were refused after review and decisions about existing awards.

5 Includes both first awards of benefit and existing awards where the award was increased.

Mr. Gale

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security to how many claimants of disability living allowance payments are made in respect of children under the age of(a) 18 years and (b) 16 years. [23209]

Mr. Denham

On the basis of the latest available information, which relates to November 1997, the numbers are(a) 213,700 and (b) 196,500.