HC Deb 04 November 2003 vol 412 cc616-7W
Mr. O'Hara

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many recipients of disability living allowance had their entitlement reduced on review to a lower rate in(a) 2002 and (b) 2001. [127229]

Maria Eagle

The available information is in the table.

Numbers of disability living allowance (DLA) recipients whose awards were reviewed1 and those which were reduced to a lower rate on review in the years ending 30 November 2001 and November 2002
Thousands
Year ending 30 November 2001 Year ending 30 November 2002
Total number of reconsiderations and supersessions2 256.6 268.24
DLA reduced to a lower amount3 13.2 26.2
1 Figures given for "review" are where a reconsideration or supersession has been made. Figures do not include those for renewal claims on expiry of fixed-period awards, or for appeals.
2 Figures are from a 100 per cent sample and rounded to the nearest hundred
3 Figures are: from a 5 per cent. sample, in thousands and rounded to the nearest hundred; for DLA awards which are reduced to a lower amount which remains in payment (this includes cases in which of one of the two components is withdrawn); not including terminations; and based on claims in which the last decision recorded was due to a reconsideration or supersession.
Figures are not available for reductions which have resulted from an earlier decision in the same year.
4 From November 2002, the methodology for producing these figures was changed to allow statistics to be published much sooner. This has resulted in a small increase in the reported caseload. This is because some cases which have actually terminated but have not yet been updated on the computer system are now included.

Note:

The higher figure for reductions in year ending November 2002 is due to a change in legislation from 8 April 2002. Preserved rights to help with care home costs through income support were replaced by alternative help from local authorities. This overall switch in financial responsibility for care home residents included withdrawal of DLA care component (or attendance allowance), but not mobility component, in such cases after 28 days' residence.

Source:

IAD Information Centre