HC Deb 30 January 1998 vol 305 cc420-3W
Audrey Wise

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people with multiple sclerosis receive the disability living allowance at the higher rate for(a) the mobility component and (b) the care component of the benefit. [24068]

Mr. Denham

The information requested is set out in the table.

Recipients of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with multiple sclerosis1
Number
All recipients 245,100
with higher rate of mobility component 43,500
with higher rate of care component 18,300

Source:

1. Analytical Services Division: 5 per cent. data.

Notes:

1 Figures rounded to the nearest hundred relate to 30 November 1997.

2 Figures relate to people who receive DLA where multiple sclerosis is recorded as the main disabling condition.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 13 January 1998,Official Report, column 251, if she will estimate how many of the (a) lifetime and (b) renewable disability living allowance awards disallowed, (i) were transferred to income support and housing benefit, (ii) became dependent on partners or carers and (iii) returned to work. [24736]

Mr. Denham

The information needed to make such an estimate is not available. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a tax-free, non-contributory and non income-related benefit intended to help with the extra costs associated with disability. Its financial value is wholly disregarded when assessing a person's eligibility for benefits such as Income Support or Housing Benefit, although receipt of DLA would result in an additional premium being paid. Disallowance of DLA would not normally lead to a transfer on to these benefits. No information is recorded as to a claimant's circumstances following disallowance of DLA.

Mr. Kidney

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the Benefits Integrity Project will review those applications for disability living allowance which have been refused. [24516]

Mr. Denham

One of our key aims is to rebuild integrity in, and public support for, the Social Security system and the way in which public money is spent.

Disability Living Allowance by disability and regions
United Kingdom1,2 North-east4 Tyneside4 Newcastle upon Tyne5
Main disabling condition Awards of care Awards of mobility Awards of care Awards of mobility Awards of care Awards of mobility Awards of care Awards of mobility
All disabling conditions 1,444,610 1,802,520 86,600 115,530 10,330 14,520 8,780 10,720
1 Arthritis 274,660 407,940 19,380 30,540 2,630 3,970 1,720 2,510
2 Muscle/joint/bone disease 107,260 131,160 6,310 8,900 560 900 640 730
3 Blindness 42,120 49,350 2,000 2,290 290 330 170 170
4 Stroke-related 74,900 80,990 4,200 4,660 470 450 480 540
5 Learning difficulty 161,710 174,180 7,860 8,180 1,170 960 810 770
6 Other mental health causes 162,760 159,170 8,090 8,610 810 890 910 1,060
7 Epilepsy 46,490 41,350 2,870 2,560 370 350 400 400
8 Deafness 16,550 12,130 770 480 60 40 170 60
9 Malignant disease 35,800 34,960 2,220 2,530 230 380 190 230
10 Chest disease 46,170 85,610 3,360 6,250 390 900 290 520
11 Back ailments 110,660 162,100 9,070 14,000 1,170 1,940 570 1,040

Benefits should go to those who are properly entitled to benefit. This is why we have continued with Benefits Integrity Project.

The administration of this programme is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with further details.

Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. David Kidney, dated 29 January 1998: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question enquiring if the Benefits Integrity Project (BIP) will review those applications for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) which have been refused. Decisions on DLA cases are made by independent Adjudication Officers (AO), neither ministers nor officials can alter or influence their decisions, and cases examined by the BIP are subject to the same adjudication rules as any other DLA award. There is provision for anyone who is not satisfied with an AO's decision to request a review which will be carried out by a different AO. Anyone who remains dissatisfied following a review has the right of appeal to an independent appeal tribunal. I hope you find the reply helpful.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) of 13 January 1998,Official Report, columns 203–04, if she will provide figures on the same basis for (a) each of the categories included in her previous answer, (b) ME, (c) limb loss, (d) stress, and (e) occupational diseases for (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) the Northern Region, (iii) the benefit districts approximating to the North-East counties, (iv) the benefit district approximating to Tyneside and (v) Newcastle upon Tyne. [24727]

Mr. Denham

The administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Jim Cousins dated, 29 January 1998: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for figures on (a) each of the categories included in her previous answer dated 13 January, (b) ME, (c) limb loss, (d) stress, and (e) occupational diseases for (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) the Northern Region, (iii) the benefit districts approximating to the North East counties, (iv) the benefit district approximating to Tyneside and (v) Newcastle upon Tyne. The information is not available in the format requested. The figures for stress and occupational diseases are not available. The available information is shown in the attached tables.

I hope you find this reply helpful.

Disability Living Allowance by disability and regions
United Kingdom1,2 North-east4 Tyneside4 Newcastle upon Tyne5
Main disabling condition Awards of care Awards of mobility Awards of care Awards of mobility Awards of care Awards of mobility Awards of care Awards of mobility
12 Heart disease 69,290 151,020 4,640 11,400 560 1,480 450 940
13 Parkinson disease 10,570 10,740 500 500 60 60 40 60
14 Diabetes melitus 30,520 23,450 1,810 1,410 210 150 210 190
15 Renal disorders 7,180 7,580 620 520 40 40 20 40
16 AIDS 5,040 5,000 60 60 0 0 20 20
17 Skin diseases 10,520 2,990 810 130 60 40 230 20
18 Chronic fatigue syndrome6 7,640 8,510 210 230 20 60 20 20
19 Limb loss3 490 600 20 20 0 0 0 0
20 Other 224,290 253,690 11,810 12,290 1,240 1,580 1,450 1,410
1 Figures rounded to nearest ten units relate to 30 November 1997 for Great Britain and to 31 August 1997 for Northern Ireland.
2 Source: Analytical Service Division 5 per cent. data and DHSS Northern Ireland 100 per cent. data.
3 Source: Analytical Services Division 100 per cent.
4 Area consists of Cleveland, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and Durham counties.
5 Area consists of North Tyneside and South Tyneside local authorities.
6 Includes ME and post viral.

Owing to rounding the figures do not always sum.

Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) women of 60 years or over and (b) men of 65 years or over claim disability living allowance; and what proportion they are of the total number of disability living allowance claimants. [26714]

Mr. Denham

On the basis of the latest figures available, there are 341,600 women aged 60 and over, in receipt of Disability Living Allowance and they represent 17 per cent. of all recipients. 198,400 men aged 65 and over are in receipt of this benefit and they represent 10 per cent. of all recipients.

Note:

Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample of data.