§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total cost of benefits paid was in(a) 1997–98 and (b) the most recent year for which figures are available. [188592]
§ Mr. PondThe total benefit expenditure for Great Britain, in nominal terms, in 1997–98 was £93,342 million; in 2002–03 it was £110,282 million.
§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have(a) nominated agents to collect state benefits on their behalf and (b) made formal appointments for third parties to receive and handle the administration of benefits on their behalf on account of their lack of mental capacity. [188231]
§ Mr. PondThe only information available is for pension credit and income support.
In Great Britain, as at February 2004, there were 100,400 pension credit claimants and 53,200 income support claimants with an agent.
In Great Britain, as at the end of February 2004, there were 174,700 pension credit and 118,200 income support claimants with appointees.
It is not possible to state how many people have appointees in cases of lack of mental capacity as this information is not collated centrally.