§ Paul HolmesTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of incapacity benefit claimants aged between 50 years and state pension age worked immediately prior to their claim in each year since 1997(a) in the UK and (b) broken down by region; and if he will make a statement. [175283]
§ Maria EagleThe information is in the table.
Proportion of those aged 50 to state pension age who were in employment prior to claiming incapacity benefits, broken down by
region
Percentage Region 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 North East 52 46 42 50 56 North west 53 51 56 55 53 Yorkshire and the Humber 58 54 46 58 57 East Midlands 55 58 60 56 55 West Midlands 50 48 49 51 55 East of England 53 63 62 65 64 London 54 53 58 55 63 South East 43 39 46 44 45 South West 56 51 53 58 57 Wales 52 47 49 52 48 Scotland 54 49 56 55 58 All GB 53 51 53 55 55 Notes: 1. Includes incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance payments and 'credits only' cases. 2. Figures include those previously in employment and self-employment. 3. Figures include those aged 50 and excludes women aged 60 and men aged 65. 4. Figures are for in-flows in year to April. Source: DWP administrative data (1 per cent. sample)