HC Deb 09 September 2003 vol 410 cc342-3W
Ian Lucas

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of appeals against refusal of incapacity benefit were settled in favour of the claimant in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [127056]

Maria Eagle

Information on IB appeals is only available from 2000.

The available information is in the table.

There are a number of reasons for decisions being overturned at appeal; for example, additional evidence may be given to a tribunal that was not available to the decision maker. The Department is currently working on a number of initiatives to improve liaison with the Appeals Service and gain a better understanding of these issues.

Number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance
Month Taunton Deane Local Authority Area County of Somerset
October 2001 752 3,853
January 2002 782 4,533
April 2002 793 4,082
July 2002 734 3,731
October 2002 693 3,641
January 2003 822 4,393
April 2003 784 4,037
July 2003 762 3,785

Source:

JSAPBS

Notes:

1. Figures are based on a 100 per cent count of unemployment-related benefits, including clerically held cases.

2. Somerset figures exclude Unitary Authorities within the ceremonial boundary of Somerset, namely "Bath and North East Somerset" and "North Somerset".

3. The number of Jobseeker"s Allowance claimants are normally counted on the second Thursday of a month. For example, April 2003 claimant figures represent the number of claimants at the end of business on Thursday 10 April.

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