§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many people currently claim(a) short-term and (b) long-term incapacity benefit; [55934]
(2) what proportion of incapacity benefit claimants currently receive the long-term rate; [55938]
(3) what proportion of current claimants of incapacity benefit are aged (a) 25 to 35, (b) 35 to 45, (c) 45 to 55 and (d) 55 to 65 years. [55940]
§ Mr. TimmsAt 31 May 1998, there were 1,644,640 Incapacity Benefit recipients. Of these, 102,400 received short-term lower rate, 99,180 short-term higher rate and 1,443,060, 87.7 per cent, long-term rate.
Of the 1,644,640 recipients, 1,545,560 were aged over 25 and under 65. The breakdown is set out in the table.
Age at 31 May 1998 Recipients Percentage All ages 1,644,640 100 25 to 34 145,500 9 35 to 44 252,220 15 45 to 54 464,420 28 55 to 641 683,420 42 1 Includes 25,220 women over pension age Note:
The figures are taken from a 5 per cent. scan of the computer and exclude a small number of cases not on the system.
174W
§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate his Department has made of the number of those currently receiving incapacity benefit who are capable of employment. [55933]
§ Mr. TimmsIn order to qualify for Incapacity Benefit, a person must be assessed as "incapable of work" either for their own occupation or under the All Work Test. This does not mean that people who satisfy the All Work Test are unable to do any work at all: it simply establishes that their incapacity is such that it would be unreasonable to expect them to seek work as a condition for getting benefit. In practice, many people who satisfy the All Work Test may be capable of doing some work given the right help and support: survey evidence shows that around two million disabled people already work and over one million more would like to do so if they were given the right assistance.
We intend to change the All Work Test so that, as well as assessing people's incapacity in order to determine their benefit entitlement, it also provides information about their capacities. Together with a wider assessment of employability, this information can then be used to provide the help and support which disabled people need if they are to seek to return to work and increase their independence.
§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of current claimants have been in receipt of incapacity benefit for(a) under six months, (b) six to 12 months, (c) one to two years and (d) over two years. [55941]
§ Mr. TimmsThe information is set out in the table.
Recipients of incapacity benefit at 31 March 1997 Recipients Percentage All durations 1,797,900 100 Under 6 months 170,900 10 6 months to 1 year 114,700 6 1 to 2 years 164,900 9 2 years and over 1,347,400 75 source:
1 per cent. sample of claimants
§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate his Department has made of the savings from means-testing incapacity benefit for the first two years of all new claims. [55937]
§ Mr. SwinneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy not to reduce benefits for those claiming incapacity benefit, who are deemed fit for work, who reject a job or training place; and if he will make a statement. [56248]
§ Mr. TimmsIt is a condition for receiving Incapacity Benefit that a person is assessed as "incapable of work" either for their own occupation or under the All Work Test. People who do not satisfy the appropriate test may claim Jobseeker's Allowance if they satisfy the basic 175W labour market entitlement conditions for the receipt of that benefit; that a person must be available for, and actively seeking, work and have a Jobseeker's Agreement which remains in force.
Jobseekers who refuse an offer of employment or a place on a prescribed training scheme without good cause are liable to a benefit sanction. It is recognised that those with health problems can be at a disadvantage in the labour market, and people may therefore restrict their availability for work in any way providing the restrictions are reasonable in the light of their physical or mental condition. Any agreed restrictions on a jobsSeeker's availability must be taken into account when considering a question of good cause.