§ Mr. GoodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people claimed incapacity benefit in each year since 1997, broken down by the condition that enables them to claim this benefit; and if he will make a statement on trends in claims. [148639]
§ Maria EagleThe overall number of people claiming Incapacity Benefit (IB) has risen from 2.37 million in August 1997 to 2.4 million in August 2003; this slight increase reflects a number of factors such as demography and changes in the characteristics of those claiming. The rate at which the caseload is increasing has been reduced dramatically and, in recent years, people with mental health disorders are the only broad category of diagnosis not to see a reduction in the numbers claiming.
"Pathways to Work—Helping people into employment",published November 2002, set out a strategy for enabling people on 113 to move into work. The first tranche of three pilot areas (Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taff; Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Argyll and Bute; and Derbyshire) went live from October 2003; indications after the first seven weeks are very encouraging, with positive feedback from customers and over 150 people moving back into work. A further tranche of four areas (Gateshead and South Tyneside; Somerset; Essex; and East Lancashire) are on track to go live in April.
The information is in the table.
347W
Incapacity Benefit claimants by Diagnosis group in each August quarter Thousands 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Symptoms, Signs and Abnormal Clinical and Laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified: 332.9 300.4 281.9 274.7 274.8 272.0 270.8 Injury, Poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes 148.6 141.3 142.8 147.9 149.5 150.2 149.5 Factors influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services 23.5 25.8 24.8 27.0 28.4 29.5 30.1 Notes:
1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred and are expressed in thousands. Totals may not sum due to founding.
2. Numbers are based on 5 per cent. samples, and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.
3. All diagnoses are coded using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition, published by the World Health Organisation.
Source:
DWP—IAD Information Centre 5 per cent. Samples.