§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people claimed incapacity benefit directly after a period of work, or after a period receiving statutory sick pay, in 1998–99; and of these, how many would not qualify for incapacity benefit under the Government's proposed changes to the contribution conditions. [82695]
§ Mr. BayleyFigures for 1998–99 are not yet available. For 1997–98, information on the employment status of claimants is available but is not yet correlated with details of their contributions records.
In 1996–97, the number of new claims for Incapacity Benefit where the employment status was shown as either employed or self employed was 357,000; of these 236,100 came directly from employment and 120,900 after receiving Statutory Sick Pay.
20.7 per cent. of these claims failed to qualify for Incapacity Benefit because they did not meet the current contribution conditions. Had the proposed new contribution conditions applied, 28.5 per cent. of them would not have qualified.
Source:
1 per cent. sample of claimants.
§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what data he has collated on the number of people receiving incapacity benefit who are capable of work; and what assessment he has made of the implications of this for the reform of the all work test. [82720]
357W
§ Mr. BayleyIn order to qualify for Incapacity Benefit a person must satisfy a test of incapacity for work, either for their own occupation, (in some cases, and in the shorter term), 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 able to do some work if they have 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.
Measures in the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill replace the All Work Test with the Personal Capability Assessment (PAC). The PCA will continue to assess the extent of people's incapacity in order to determine their benefit entitlement, using the same criteria as now. There will be no change in the way in which people qualify for benefit and there is no intention to tighten the gateway.
However, the PCA will also be able to provide information about what a person is capable of doing, despite their medical condition. This information can then be used by Personal Advisers to help them provide the support which disabled people need if they want to return to work.
§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people a year he estimates will lose entitlement to incapacity benefit as a result of the changes provided for in the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill; and what proportion will be entitled to income support. [82722]
§ Mr. BayleyI refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 22 February 1999,Official Report, column 169.