§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the percentage of benefit payments were found to be accurate in each benefits area directorate for (i) 1979–80, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) the most recent period for which figures are available. [143104]
§ Angela EagleThe administration of benefits is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 10 January 2001:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what percentage of benefit payments were found to be accurate in each benefits area directorate for (i) 1979–80, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) the most recent period for which figures are available.The accuracy of benefit payments in all Area Directorates is measured by the Benefits Agency Quality Support teams which were established in 1994. Unfortunately, no data is available for 1979/80 as accuracy figures were not collated at that time. Figures for the main benefits checked by the Quality Support teams in 1996/97 and 1999/2000 (the most recent period available) are set out in the tables.I hope this is helpful.
Table 1: Percentage of benefit payments found to be accurate National figures Benefit 1996–97 1999–2000 Retirement pension 93.20 95.29 Incapacity benefit 91.57 94.63 Income Support 80.80 86.79 Jobseekers Allowance 87.10 89.38 figures are available in (a) the UK, (b) Greater London and (c) Leaside District; and if he will make a statement. [144488]
§ Angela EagleThe information is in the table for each of the last complete financial years.
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Percentage UK Greater London Leaside 1 April 1995–31 March 1996 3.6 4.8 4.5 1 April 1996–31 March 1997 5.8 5.7 5.0 1 April 1997–31 March 1998 6.1 6.6 6.3 1 April 1998–31 March 1999 4.8 7.2 8.2 1 April 1999–31 March 2000 5.3 5.9 6.9