§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many personal capability assessments were carried out by the Benefits Agency in(a) the last six months and (b) the last 12 months. [64331]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownThe Personal Capability Assessment is used to determine ongoing entitlement to Incapacity Benefit. It is a functional test carried out by Medical Services' doctors that assesses a person's ability to perform a range of every-day activities. Personal Capability Assessments have been extended in areas covered by integrated Jobcentre plus offices and work-focused interview sites so that examining doctors can produce capability reports for Personal Advisers. These reports provide constructive information to help plan a person's return to work where appropriate.
The information is in the table.
Number of personal capability assessments carried out Number December 2001—May 2002 258,338 June 2001—May 2002 504,420 Source:
IMPACT data.
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many people attending work-focused interviews at Jobcentre Plus offices since 22 October 2001, have(a) moved from incapacity benefit into employment, (b) transferred to other social security benefits and (c) remained in receipt of incapacity benefit at (i) the same level, (i) a higher level and (iii) a lower level; [64332]
(2) how many incapacity benefit claimants have been referred for a personal capability assessment as a result of a work-focused interview at a Jobcentre Plus office since 22 October 2001. [64333]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownThe information is not available in the format requested.
Work-focused interviews provide people making new or repeat claims to Incapacity Benefit with a valuable opportunity to discuss their work options, as well as their benefit claim, and to find out from their personal adviser the practical and financial support that is available to help them move into work. These interviews are separate from the Personal Capability Assessment, which is a functional test that assesses a person's ability to perform a range of everyday activities, and which is used to determine ongoing entitlement to Incapacity Benefit after 28 weeks of sickness.