§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what consultation was conducted prior to introducing the change in the composition of social security appeals tribunals hearing all-work test appeals; and if he will make a statement; [65583]
(2) what is the reason for the recent review of the composition of social security appeals tribunals hearing all-work test appeals; [65582]
(3) how many representations his Department has received (a) in favour of and (b) in total on the review of the composition of social security appeals tribunals hearing all-work test appeals; and if he will make a statement. [65584]
§ Angela EagleI refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin) on 29 October 1998,Official Report, column 266. The recent change to the composition of Social Security Appeal Tribunals (SSATs) hearing All Work Test Appeals was the second phase of measures introduced by His Honour Judge Harris, the President of the Independent Tribunal Services under transitory powers afforded to him by Schedule 6 of the Social Security Act 1998.
This provision was introduced to give the President flexibility over the composition of SSATs during a period of substantial change in 1999. The President wanted to be able to monitor the effect of change before regulations varying the composition of tribunals are debated in Parliament. The President consulted widely within his organisation. The decision to introduce the change is a judicial matter.
The President's initial monitoring of the changes indicates that the new flexibility appears to be working well. Tribunal Chairmen, operating the new arrangements, are reporting overall improvements in service as a result of the change. There is no evidence to suggest that the percentage of appeals upheld has been affected by the introduction of the new arrangements. The Department has not received any representations from appellants who have had their appeals decided by a legally qualified panel member supported by a medical assessor. These are initial results and monitoring is continuing.
We are firmly committed to tackling the unacceptable delays in the appeals service—currently averaging seven months, with some appellants waiting over a year for the decision on their case. The flexibility to tailor the composition and expertise of the Tribunal to the issues raised by an appeal will provide appellants with good quality decisions, quicker.
Regulations varying tribunal composition under Section 7 of the Social Security Act 1998 will be debated shortly under affirmative procedures. Draft regulations are being discussed with the Independent Tribunal Service, the Council of Tribunals, the Office of the Social Security Commissioners and an ad hoc group of representative bodies including the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and the Child Poverty Action Group.