§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what work(a) is being and (b) has been carried out by his Department to develop a method of 417W collecting information on (i) the number of people claiming incapacity benefit who are re-tested and (ii) the frequency with which they are re-tested; [5211]
(2) which disability organisations have been consulted by his Department about the development of a method to collect information on (a) the number of people claiming incapacity benefit who are re-tested and (b) the frequency with which they are re-tested. [5212]
§ Malcolm WicksWe already monitor the number of re-tests carried out and are always looking at ways to improve this information.
As announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 11 July 2001, Official Report, column 567, we will discuss with groups representing disabled people the precise administrative arrangements that will underpin the proposed changes to Incapacity Benefit.
§ Mr. Tony ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people on Incapacity Benefit have not been subject to a medical to assess capacity for work for(a) 10, (b) 15 and (c) 20 years; and what proportion this represents of total numbers of Incapacity Benefit recipients. [3465]
§ Malcolm WicksThe majority of Incapacity Benefit recipients will have undergone a Personal Capability Assessment (known as the All Work Test before April 2000) to assess their capacity for work, which may have involved a medical examination. While data are kept on the number of medical examinations conducted, information is not available in the format requested.
The proposed changes to Incapacity Benefit will shift the emphasis from disability to ability. People will be provided with help and guidance to move from benefit to work where they are able and wish to do so.
§ Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of people awarded short-term Incapacity Benefit have subsequently been awarded the long-term rate for an indefinite period in each of the last three years. [3224]
§ Malcolm WicksThe available information is in the table.
Percentage of people awarded Incapacity Benefit at the short-term rate who subsequently became entitled to benefit at the long-term rate Year 1 April 1996 to 31 March 1997 49 1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998 48 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999 48 Notes
1. Figures are based on a 1 per cent. sample of claims to benefit.
2. Entitlement to Incapacity Benefit was subject to the All Work Test during the period covered by this table (this was replaced by the Personal Capability Assessment from April 2000) unless the person was an exempt category. Long-term rate Incapacity Benefit is payable after 52 weeks of incapacity.
§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in receipt of(a) Incapacity Benefit, (b) Disability Living Allowance and (c) Severe Disability Allowance have had their benefit (i) cut and (ii) removed altogether following a Benefits Agency medical assessment in each of the last three years. [4346]
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§ Malcolm WicksThe available information is in the table.
There is no provision within the Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance schemes to award benefit at a reduced rate following a medical examination.
Number of cases where entitlement to Incapacity Benefit (IB) and Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) ceased following a personal capability assessment1 Thousand 1 March 1999 to 29 February 2000 IB 127.6 SDA 0.9 1 March 2000 to 28 February 2001 IB 96.9 SDA 0.7 1 All work test prior to April 2000 Notes
1. National Insurance credits only cases are included in these figures
2. Data are not available for 1998–99
3. Analogous data are not available for Disability Living Allowance
Source
5 per cent. sample (excluding a small number of clerically held cases)