§ Mr. GoodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of the Incapacity Benefit caseload have been in continuous receipt of the benefit since before 1 May 1997. [163693]
§ Maria EagleThe total number of IB and SDA claimants at 30 November 2003 is 2,720,500. Of these, 1,129,200 or 41.5 per cent. have a claim start date before 1 May 1997.
Before 1997, people claiming Incapacity Benefits received virtually no support to get back to work despite the fact that large numbers want to work again. That is why, since 1997, we have sought to provide greater incentives to try out work, and to offer specialist support to put individuals in a better position to secure a job.
Our Pathways to Work pilots bring all existing and new measures together in a more coherent package of choices. On 17 March, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced further incentives to be trialled in pilot areas to enable those preparing for a return to work to receive an additional £20 per week for up to 26 weeks.
Notes:
- 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100 and the percentage is rounded to one place of decimal.
- 2. Some cases, which have been "rebuilt" onto the system, may have a start date later than the original commencement date of the spell.
- 3. Cases where payment has been temporarily suspended for a period within the spell, cannot be identified.
Source:
DWP—IAD Information Centre, 5 per cent. sample.
§ Mr. GoodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average length of time was for which(a) a man and (b) a woman has received Incapacity Benefit on mental health grounds in each year since 1997 in relation to (i) stress, (ii) behavioural problems, (iii) anxiety and (iv) depression. [164731]
1628W
§ Maria EagleThe information has been placed in the Library.