§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 23 February,Official Report, columns 124–25, concerning disability living allowance claimants who have had their claims disallowed under the Benefit Integrity Project, if she will supply the equivalent figures for claimants who have had their disability living allowance reduced. [31885]
§ Mr. DenhamThe administration of the Benefit Integrity Project is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefit Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from David Riggs to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 2 March 1998:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Peter Mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary question asking pursuant to her answer of 24 February concerning Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claimants who have had their claims disallowed under the Benefits Integrity Project (BIP), if she will supply the equivalent figures for claimants who have had their DLA reduced. As Mr. Mathison is away from the office on leave, I am replying.As at 31 December 1997, a total 40,615 cases have been examined as part of the BIP. Of the total cases dealt with 978 have had their benefit increased, 31,920 have been unchanged, 4,931 have had their benefit reduced and 2,786 have had their benefit stopped. The total includes 7,462 renewal cases; of which 242 had their benefit increased, 3,868 remain unchanged, 1,993 have had their benefit reduced and 1,359 have had their benefit stopped.A brief monthly statistical report is produced and a copy of the report for December 1997 and subsequent months can be found in the House of Commons Library.I hope you find this reply helpful.610W
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the measures taken by(a) her Department and (b) the Benefits Agency to make disability living allowance claimants who are subject to the Benefit Integrity Project aware of their right to request copies of previous disability living allowance claims. [31888]
§ Mr. DenhamThe administration of the Benefit Integrity Project is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from David Riggs to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 2 March 1998
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Peter Mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the measures taken by (a) her Department and (b) the Benefits Agency (BA) to make Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claimants who are subject to the Benefits Integrity Project (BIP) aware of their right to request copies of previous DLA claims. As Mr. Mathison is away from the office on leave, I am replying.Information about BIP has been publicised through disability organisations, the media, and by appearances in the media by Ministers.We have made no specific assessment of the measures taken in relation to BIP. This is because it is normal practice to give customers copies of DLA claim packs used to decide their current entitlement, on request. This has always been the case and is not specific to the BIP.I hope you find this reply helpful.
§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she has personally reviewed individual Benefit Integrity Project appeal cases. [32333]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyResponsibility for the administration of the Social Security appeals system rests with the Independent Tribunal Service. It would be improper for Ministers to intervene.