HC Deb 19 March 2003 vol 401 cc853-4W
Annabelle Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for which benefits the threshold payment of compensation for delays in processing the benefit is less than eight months' delay. [97909]

Malcolm Wicks

The information is as follows.

  • Benefit
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Attendance Allowance (Special Rules)
  • Attendance Allowance (Renewals)
  • Bereavement Benefit
  • Child Benefit
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Disability Living Allowance (Special Rules)
  • Incapacity Benefit
  • Income Support
  • Invalidity Benefit
  • Jobseeker's Allowance (Contributory)
  • Jobseeker's Allowance (Income Based)
  • 854W
  • Maternity Allowance
  • Sickness Benefit
  • Social Fund Community Care Grants + Budgeting loans
  • Social Fund (Funeral)
  • Social Fund (Maternity)
  • Unemployment Benefit
  • Widows Benefit
  • Widows Payment

Annabelle Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in how many cases, in each year since 1997, compensation for delay in processing benefit in respect of retirement pension has been paid; what percentage such costs represent of total applications for retirement pension in each year; and what average level of compensation has been paid in each case. [97910]

Mr. McCartney

The information is in the table.

Retirement pension compensation cases (for delay) in comparison to applications received
Year Number of retirement of pension compensation payments Number of retirement of pension claims (thousands) Percentage compensation payments to claims receied (percentage) Average compensation paid in each case (£)
1997–98 422 737 0.06 503.95
1998–99 290 702 0.04 474.67
1999–2000 402 717 0.06 397.73
2000–01 1,068 611 0.17 271.59
2001–02 2,331 652 0.36 318.33

1. Figures for retirement pension claims have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

2. The final totals for 2002–03 are not, as yet, available.