HC Deb 26 January 1999 vol 324 cc237-8W
Mr. Rendel

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many new(a) widows' pensions and (b) incapacity benefit claims were made in each month since 1 April 1998. [67899]

Angela Eagle

The information is in the tables.

Widows' Benefits claims since April 1998
Month Claims
April 1998 2,917
May 1998 2,701
June 1998 3,065
July 1998 2,743
August 1998 2,272
September 1998 2,795
October 1998 2,742
November 1998 2,855
December 1998 2,375

Note:

Widows' Benefits include Widow's Pension and Widowed Mother's Allowance.

Incapacity Benefit claims since April 1998
Month Claims
April 1998 74,588
May 1998 68,776
June 1998 78,552
July 1998 82,477
August 1998 71,181
September 1998 80,437
October 1998 81,324
November 1998 81,169
December 1998 66,767

Note:

The new claim figures are subject to amendment. A new claim may not necessarily result in the award of benefit.