§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many industrial injuries disablement benefit appeals have been lodged since 1997; and how many were(a) found in favour of the claimant, (b) found against the claimant and (c) were abandoned due to time constraints. [130858]
§ Mr. BrowneAppeals are not abandoned due to time constraints. If an Appeal, listed for hearing before a Tribunal, is unable to be heard, or the hearing is unable to be completed because of lack of time, it will be rescheduled for hearing at the next available date.
227WThe available information is in the table.
Year Lodged at first tier agency
Received by the Appeals Service
Cleared at hearing
Found in Favour of appellant
Decided against appellant
Decision upheld
1998 20,030 24,630 13,510 5,140 415 7,420 1999 22,070 17,320 17,305 6,895 450 9,300 2000 21,525 22,390 19,170 7,665 90 10,735 2001 22,885 23,110 17,985 7,300 55 10,150 2002 18,355 18,565 17,170 6,550 45 10,030 January to July 2003 7,800 11,250 9,110 3,530 20 5,265 Source:
DWP Information and Analysis Direct orate Information Centre, 100 per cent sample.
Notes:
1. All figures are subject to change as more up to date data becomes available.
Figures for the latest months will rise significantly as information feeds through to the Appeals Service.
2. Figures are rounded to the nearest five.
3. Appeals cleared in one year will not be the same appeals received in that year.
4. An appeal may have more than one clearance in a year and each clearance will be counted. For example, an appellant may not be happy with the outcome of the original hearing and apply to the district chairman for leave to appeal and subsequent hearings may occur as a result.
5. Not all appeals that are received by the Appeals Service continue through the process to reach a hearing or conclusion. For example, an appeal may be invalid or withdrawn prior to hearing.