§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many life awards have been found to be unjustified by the Benefit Integrity Project; and how many were later upheld on appeal. [60916]
§ Mr. TimmsThe administration of the Benefit Integrity Project is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.
100WLetter from Peter Mathison to Mrs. Maria Fyfe, dated 27 November 1998:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many life awards have been found to be unjustified by the Benefit Integrity Project (BIP); and how many were later upheld on appeal.Such information as is available regarding the changes made to life awards following BIP action is shown in the table. The data includes changes to the rate of benefit in addition to changes to the length of the award.Where evidence of change does become available, as it may well do through BIP enquiries, a life award is reviewed in the normal way and benefit may increase or decrease. People do, of course, have full rights of review and appeal as they do with any change to benefit entitlement.I hope you find this reply helpful.
Changes made to life awards Total Life award changed to: Award still for life but rate changed 7,191 Awarded for a limited period and rate changed 316 Award remains at same rate but for a limited period 233 Benefit disallowed altogether 14,987 Total 22,727 Decision maintained on review 9,118 Decision not maintained on review 6,517 Decision maintained on appeal 483 Decision not maintained on appeal 816 Notes:
1. Figures are up to and including 30 September 1998
2. The figures are provisional and subject to change
Source:
Benefit Integrity Project database