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Legislation
Mr. Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what legislation she plans to introduce; and if she will make a statement. [35310]
Mr. Sproat: The Government's plans for legislation will be announced in the Queen's Speech at the start of the 1995 96 Session.
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County Hall
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what inspections have been made by officials of her Department of county hall SE1; and what recommendations have been made regarding listed building consent in respect of the building. [35413]
Mr. Sproat: County hall was last inspected by officials from English Heritage on 23 June. The building is weathertight and in good condition for its age. In recent years, the Secretary of State for the Environment has determined several appeals on planning and listed building consent applications for county hall.
Brodsworth Hall
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to her answer of 15 June,
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Official Report, column 605 , if she will list the individuals and organisations who have been invited to the official opening of Brodsworth hall since 15 June. [33629]Mr. Sproat [pursuant to his reply, 15 June 1995, c.605]: I have today placed in the Library a copy of the list of those guests who were invited to the official opening of Brodsworth hall after 15 June.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Ministerial Visits
Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the foreign visits made by (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in the last year indicating the cost of each visit. [31283]
Mr. Burt: The information requested is in the table.
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|Total cost
Date of visit |Minister |Place and purpose of |£
|visit
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 September 1994 |William Hague, Minister of State |USA |6,813.59
|Fact-finding visit about disability anti-discrimination legislation,
27 October 1994 |Peter Lilley, Secretary of State |Madrid |2,185.82
|Speech at pensions conference
1 February 1995 |Peter Lilley, Secretary of State |Paris |2,445.17
|Informal Social Affairs Council
11 May 1995 |Peter Lilley, Secretary of State |Switzerland |1,133.75
|Fact-finding visit about Swiss Social Security system
29 May 1995 |Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish, Minister of State |Lisbon |3,088.60
|Sixth Conference of European Social Security Ministers
Notes:
The Secretary of State was accompanied by his Special Adviser on his visits to Madrid and Paris.
"Total cost" includes the cost of those accompanying the Minister at public expense.
Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list (a) details of all overseas trips made by him, or ministerial colleagues in his Department, paid for wholly or partly from public funds and (b) the purpose, destination and duration of such
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overseas trips, which officials accompanied him and the total cost in each case, including that of officials, to public funds for each year since 1992. [32258]Mr. Burt: The information is in the tables.
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Secretary of State
|Numbers |Cost
Date and duration of |Minister |accompanying |Place and purpose |£
visit |of visit
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15 April 1992 |Peter Lilley |0 |Recalled from France to attend Cabinet and |1.045.00
| departmental meetings
1 September 1992 |Peter Lilley |0 |Recalled from France to attend departmental |2,980.00
| meetings
29 January-1 February 1993 |Peter Lilley |0 |Zurich |735.00
| To attend World Economic Forum
7 April 1993 |Peter Lilley |0 |Returned from France to launch Child Support |324.10
|Agency |324.10
7-8 November 1993 |Peter Lilley |0 |Paris |165.00
| Meeting with French Social Security Minister
27-28 October 1994 |Peter Lilley |4 |Madrid |2,185.82
|Speech at pensions conference
1-2 February 1985 |Peter Lilley |4 |Paris |2,445.17
| Informal Social Affairs Council
11-12 May 1995 |Peter Lilley |1 |Switzerland |1,133.75
| Fact-finding visit about Swiss Social Security
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Minister of State
|Numbers |Cost
Date and duration of |Minister |accompanying |Place and purpose |£
visit |of visit
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20-21 May 1992 |Nicholas Scott |0 |Limerick |143.35
| Council of Europe, Conference of Social Security Ministers
23-24 May 1992 |Nicholas Scott |2 |Luxembourg |1,006.86
| Social Affairs Council
2-5 September 1992 |Nicholas Scott |2 |Barcelona |1,303.68
| Paralympic Games and bilateral meeting with Spanish Minister of State
7-11 October 1992 |Nicholas Scott |2 |Montreal |4,473.90
| International meeting Ministers
11-13 October 1992 |Nicholas Scott |2 |New York |3,012.90
| UN General Assembly
8-9 December 1992 |Nicholas Scott |1 |Paris |456.78
| OECD meeting |456.78
27 May-6 June 1993 |Nicholas Scott |6 |China |13,926.30
| Fact-finding visit about disability issues
9-10 November 1993 |Nicholas Scott |1 |Brussels |550.62
| Informal Social Affairs Council
17-20 March 1994 |Nicholas Scott |3 |Lillehammer |1,275.00
| Paralympic Games
29-31 May 1995 |Lord MacKay |3 |Lisbon |3,088.60
| Sixth Conference of European Social Security Ministers
9-15 September 1995 |William Hague |2 |USA |6,813.59
| Fact-finding visit about disability anti-discrimination legislation
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Parliamentary Secretary
|Numbers |Cost
Date and duration of |Minister |accompanying |Place and purpose |£
visit |of visit
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28 January 1993 |Ann |4 |Copenhagen |4,500.00
|Widdecombe | Social Affairs Council
1 February 1993 |Lord Henley |2 |Strasbourg |1,125.30
| To open Beveridge Exhibition
26-27 February 1993 |Alistair Burt |2 |Germany |332.50
| Bilateral talks with German Social Security Ministers
28 April 1993 |Lord Henley |1 |Republic of Ireland |460.00
| Meeting Board of Management Trust: War Pensions
15 May 1993 |Alistair Burt |2 |Brussels |590.52
| Bilateral talks with Belgian Social Security Ministers
28-30 September 1993 |Alistair Burt |1 |Republic of Ireland |426.00
| Bilateral talks with Irish Social Security Minister and
| visit to Community Development Programme
18-19 April 1994 |Alistair Burt |4 |Luxembourg |<1>-
| Social Affairs Council
28 May to 5 June 1994 |Alistair Burt |3 |Canada and USA |13,177.38
| Fact-finding visit about family issues
21-22 June 1994 |Alistair Burt |4 |Luxembourg |2,948.42
| Social Affairs Council
<1>Details not available.
Mr. Dewar: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what measures he will take to ensure that the members of the Association of British Insurers adhere to future guidance on mortgage protection insurance; and if he will produce a report on the development of this part of the insurance market before October; [34266]
(2) when he expects the Association of British Insurers to publish its guidance on mortgage protection insurance. [34267]
Mr. Roger Evans: The Association of British Insurers advises that its guidance to good practice on mortgage protection insurance should be available in late summer. It is currently discussing with its members the status of the guidance. The development of the new arrangements for income support mortgage interest, including compliance with this voluntary guidance, will be monitored. I have no plans to report on this part of the insurance market.
World Wide Web
Mr. David Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the work his Department has carried out in the last 12 months in making information about his Department available to the public via the Government world wide web server known as "www.open.gov.uk" and his plans and policies to make additional and new information available electronically on the server in the next 12 months. [34689]
Mr. Burt: DSS agencies and headquarters are currently identifying opportunities for using the Government information service provided by CCTA. Items already on the Internet include citizens charter information and press releases. The recent earnings top-up pilot scheme consultative document can also be accessed via the GIS and the Department has invited comments to be returned to its Internet E-mail address. The Department is now developing a set of home pages that will provide more general information on benefits, contributions and child support.
Small Businesses
Mr. David Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the results of (a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against the previous
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12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring. [34694]Mr. Burt: The Government recognise the crucial role played by small firms in the UK economy. The Government continue to help smaller companies by keeping inflation and interest rates low and by reducing legislative, administrative and taxation burdens. They also provide direct assistance where appropriate.
The White Paper announced in May 1995 outlines a programme of measures to assist the growth and competitiveness of small firms sector.
Measures introduced by the Department of Social Security over the last 12 months to assist small businesses include:
reductions in national insurance contributions from April of 0.6 per cent. for employers of lower paid employees (earnings under £205 a week). The earnings brackets for each of the three lower rates were also increased by more than the rate of inflation.
changes to the reimbursement arrangements for statutory sick pay from April. The new percentage threshold scheme will help any employer with a large proportion of his work force off sick at the same time. It reimburses SSP costs exceeding 13 per cent. of the monthly national insurance bill. The scheme is straightforward to operate and will protect the cash flow of the businesses covered more effectively. Small businesses will continue to receive the lion's share of SSP reimbursement.
Other measures aimed at business in general, which should help small businesses, include:
From October 1994, employers are no longer required to arrange for persons engaged in certain specified occupations involving a risk of pneumoconiosis to submit themselves for medical examination saving staff time and administrative costs for employers.
In his November Budget statement, the Chancellor announced that the Contributions Agency will accept dispensations for expenses payments already agreed with the Inland Revenue for tax purposes, provided the circumstances under which they were issued have not changed. The CA will also now consider any reasonable form of evidence to determine the profit element of expenses payments. Previously only logs detailing actual expenses were acceptable. The Contributions Agency has also initiated a number of customer service improvements, including:
the publication of a code of practice on 6 April. This code is sent to employers prior to a survey of their national insurance records to explain what they can expect from the CA and what
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the CA would like from them. The aim is to help employers prepare in advance so that the survey can be carried out more quickly and with the minimum disruption to the employer.the appointment of an independent adjudicator on 1 June to investigate complaints where a customer remains dissatisfied following consideration by the chief executive.
there are plans to expand further the provision of information for businesses and the self-employed on the Internet.
the extension and streamlining of the call answering capacity of the telephone helpline for employers, SSALE.
the provision of information on the availability of Payroll Bureaux assistance in the latest edition of the employers guide issued in March.
the provision of information to interested parties on national insurance matters including SSP and statutory maternity pay through talks, presentations and seminars held by local customer service managers.
The Department has a system to monitor proposals which have an impact on small businesses to ensure that
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the needs and costs to small businesses are taken into account, but there are no performance indicators specifically for monitoring achievements in this area. However, we attach particular importance to action taken to help small businesses and continue to explore ways of doing so.Incomes
Ms Corston: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the change in real disposable income, by quintile group, including the self-employed, before and after housing costs, following table A1 and appendix 10 of the latest households below average income report; and what was the equivalised income per household in each quintile group, for households with children, in April 1995 prices. [34481]
Mr. Andrew Mitchell: The information is in the tables.
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W
Changes in real income by quintile group 1979-1992/93, including the self-employed
Percentage
|Quintile |Quintile 2|Quintile 3|Quintile 4|Quintile 5
|Bottom 20 |20-4- |40-60 |60-80 |Top 20
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before housing costs |7 |14 |26 |34 |50
After housing costs |-4 |10 |27 |37 |53
Notes:
Percentage growth estimates are calculated from the median income of each quintile.
All estimates are subject to sampling error.
Money values of quintile medians for households with children 1979 and 1992-93
Percentage
|Quintile 1|Quintile 2|Quintile 3|Quintile 4|Quintile 5
|Bottom 20 |20-40 |40-60 |60-80 |Top 20
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before housing costs
1979 |105 |141 |169 |203 |267
1992-93 |104 |150 |208 |275 |414
After housing costs
1979 |88 |119 |144 |175 |232
1992-93 |78 |120 |174 |234 |359
Notes:
The figures relate to the median income level in each quintile.
The figures given are for equivalised income and are given to the nearest whole £.
Small changes are unlikely to be statistically significant.
All estimates are subject to sampling error.
Monetary amounts are given in March 1995 prices in order not be comparable with those
shown in the latest edition of Households Below Average Income. Estimates are for
weekly income and should not be converted into annual amounts.
Mr. Mitchell: The information is in the tables.
Numbers of children below fixed income thresholds
Thousands
|1979 Actual |1979 Adjusted|1992-93
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Below 1979 Bottom Decile Median
Before Housing Costs |820 |770 |810
After Housing Costs |860 |810 |1,180
(b) Below 50 per cent. of 1979 Average Income
Before Housing Costs |1,230 |1,150 |1,220
After Housing Costs |1,430 |3,340 |1,910
Notes:
The 1979 adjusted column shows the numbers of children before fixed income thresholds based on
grossing the total numbers of children in 1979 to the total number of children in 1992-93. This is
done to remove the effect of the change in the total number of children.
All Estimates are subject to sampling error.
Estimates are shown to the nearest 10 thousand.
The 1979 adjusted column shows the numbers of children before fixed income thresholds based on grossing the total numbers of children in 1979 to the total number of children in 1992 93. This is done to remove the effect of the change in the total number of children.
All Estimates are subject to sampling error.
Estimates are shown to the nearest 10 thousand.
Column 1091
Ms Corston: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the equivalent monetary value in £ per week at April 1995 prices, following table A2 of the latest households below average income report, in 1979 and 1992 93, before and after housing costs, of the decile means and medians of the two poorest decile groups and the richest decile group, and the total population mean of (a) single adult and couples with (b) no children, (c) one child aged three, (d) one child aged 16, (e) two children aged three and eight, (f) three children aged three, eight and 11 and (g) three children aged 11, 16 and 17 years. [34474]
Column 1092
Mr. Mitchell: The information is not available in the precise form requested. Such information as is available is in the table. The estimates provided follow those in table A2 of households below average income and show the median of each decile group and the whole population mean. Reliable estimates of means of decile groups are not available.
Monetary amounts are given in March 1995 prices as in table A2 of the latest edition of households below average income to allow comparison. Estimates are for current weekly income and should not be converted into annual amounts.
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Money values for the bottom two decile medians, the top decile median and the overall mean for different family types
in March 1995 prices (including self employed)
Equivalent monetary values in £s per week Income before housing costs
Group medians
|Decile 1 |Decile 2 |decile 10 |Total
|Bottom 10 per cent.|10-20 per cent. |Top 10 per cent. |population (mean)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1979
Single adult |55 |69 |223 |121
Couple no children |90 |113 |366 |198
Couple with child aged 3 |106 |133 |432 |233
Couple with child aged 16 |122 |153 |498 |269
Couple with children aged 3 and 8 |127 |159 |517 |279
Couple with children aged 3, 8 and 11 |149 |187 |608 |328
Couple with children aged 11, 16 and 17 |177 |222 |722 |389
1992-93
Single adult |55 |74 |350 |165
Couple no children |91 |122 |573 |270
Couple with child aged 3 |107 |144 |676 |319
Couple with child aged 16 |124 |166 |779 |367
Couple with children aged 3 and 8 |128 |172 |808 |381
Couple with children aged 3, 8 and 11 |151 |202 |951 |448
Couple with children aged 11, 16 and 17 |179 |240 |1,129 |532
Note:
The figures in the table show, for the overall UK distribution of equivalised disposable income, decile medians for the bottom, second and
top decile, and the mean income. These are expressed in terms of the equivalent monetary amounts for different family types.
All estimates are subject to sampling error.
Money values for the bottom two decile medians, the top decile median and the overall mean for different family types
in March 1995 prices (including self employed)
Equivalent monetary values in £s per week Income after housing costs
Group medians
|Decile 1 |Decile 2 |decile 10 |Total
|Bottom 10 per cent.|10-20 per cent. |Top 10 per cent. |population (mean)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1979
Single adult |41 |53 |177 |94
Couple no children |75 |96 |321 |171
Couple with child aged 3 |89 |113 |379 |22
Couple with child aged 16 |104 |133 |443 |237
Couple with children aged 3 and 8 |106 |135 |453 |242
Couple with children aged 3, 8 and 11 |126 |160 |536 |286
Couple with children aged 11, 16 and 17 |152 |194 |649 |346
1992-93
Single adult |34 |53 |286 |130
Couple no children |62 |97 |520 |236
Couple with child aged 3 |73 |114 |614 |278
Couple with child aged 16 |86 |133 |718 |326
Couple with children aged 3 and 8 |88 |136 |734 |333
Couple with children aged 3, 8 and 11 |104 |161 |869 |394
Couple with children aged 11, 16 and 17 |126 |195 |1,051 |477
Note:
The figures in the table show, for the overall UK distribution of equivalised disposable income, decile medians for the bottom, second and
top decile, and the mean income. These are expressed in terms of the equivalent monetary amounts.
All estimates are subject to sampling error.
Money values for the bottom two decile medians, the top decile median and the overall mean for different family types
in March 1995 prices (excluding self employed)
Equivalent monetary values in £s per week Income before housing costs
Group medians
|Decile 1 |Decile 2 |decile 10 |Total
|Bottom 10 per cent.|10-20 per cent. |Top 10 per cent. |population (mean)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1979
Single adult |55 |69 |217 |120
Couple no children |91 |113 |356 |196
Couple with child aged 3 |107 |133 |420 |231
Couple with child aged 16 |123 |154 |484 |266
Couple with children aged 3 and 8 |128 |159 |502 |276
Couple with children aged 3, 8 and 11 |151 |188 |591 |325
Couple with children aged 11, 16 and 17 |179 |223 |701 |386
1992-93
Single adult |57 |75 |340 |161
Couple no children |94 |123 |558 |264
Couple with child aged 3 |111 |145 |658 |312
Couple with child aged 16 |128 |167 |758 |360
Couple with children aged 3 and 8 |133 |173 |786 |373
Couple with children aged 3, 8 and 11 |156 |204 |926 |439
Couple with children aged 11, 16 and 17 |186 |242 |1,099 |521
Note:
The figures in the table show, for the overall UK distribution of equivalised disposable income, decile medians for the bottom, second and
top decile, and the mean income. These are expressed in terms of the equivalent monetary amounts.
All estimates are subject to sampling error.
Money values for the bottom two decile medians, the top decile median and the overall mean for different family types
in March 1995 prices (including self employed)
Equivalent monetary values in £s per week Income after housing costs
Group medians
|Decile 1 |Decile 2 |decile 10 |Total
|Bottom 10 per cent.|10-20 per cent. |Top 10 per cent. |population (mean)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1979
Single adult |42 |53 |172 |94
Couple no children |76 |96 |313 |170
Couple with child aged 3 |89 |114 |369 |201
Couple with child aged 16 |105 |133 |432 |235
Couple with children aged 3 and 8 |107 |136 |441 |240
Couple with children aged 3, 8 and 11 |126 |161 |523 |284
Couple with children aged 11, 16 and 17 |153 |194 |632 |343
1992-93
Single adult |38 |54 |275 |127
Couple no children |68 |98 |501 |231
Couple with child aged 3 |80 |115 |591 |273
Couple with child aged 16 |94 |135 |691 |319
Couple with children aged 3 and 8 |96 |138 |706 |326
Couple with children aged 3, 8 and 11 |114 |163 |836 |386
Couple with children aged 11, 16 and 17 |138 |198 |1,012 |467
Note:
The figures in the table show, for the overall UK distribution of equivalised disposable income, decile medians for the bottom, second and
top decile, and the mean income. These are expressed in terms of the equivalent monetary amounts.
All estimates are subject to sampling error.
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of Child Support Agency compliance with the Data Protection Act 1984; and if he will make a statement. [33622]
Mr. Andrew Mitchell: The Child Support Agency is registered under the Data Protection Act 1984 and is fully aware of the requirements and obligations that this places on staff in relation to the recording and use of personal data.
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The agency has taken all necessary measures to ensure that confidentiality is maintained and members of staff are obliged to maintain confidentiality at all times. The chief executive regularly meets the Data Protection Registrar, in view of the particularly sensitive nature of this area of work.Ms Lynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update table G2.01 of the social security statistics 1994 by reference to the most recent date from the case-load of the Child Support Agency. [34438]
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Mr. Mitchell: The information is contained in "Child Support Agency Statistical Information". Copies for the periods 1 April 1994 to 31 March 1995 and 1 April 1995 to 2 June 1995 are in the Library.
Correspondence
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will make it his policy that hon. Members will continue to receive individually researched replies to their inquiries to Ministers; [35066]
(2) what representations he has received regarding the effectiveness of the pilot central correspondence section. [35067]
Mr. Burt: All letters from hon. Members receive an individual reply which answers their specific queries. There are no plans to change this level of service.
To my knowledge no representations have been received regarding the effectiveness of the pilot correspondence unit. However, as at 13 July 1995, 36 hon. Members have written requesting further information about the pilot unit following the circular letter issued by the general secretary of the National Union of Civil and Public Servants. Since the unit began operations in March this year, 2,356 replies have been issued to hon. Members. In addition, the unit has sent 1,995 replies direct to members of the public. There have been no complaints about the standard of these replies.
Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if it is his policy to provide standard replies to individual letters on behalf of constituents from hon. Members; and if he will make a statement; [35150]
(2) if he will make it his policy that hon. Members will continue to receive specific responses to individual inquiries relating to constituents' problems following the establishment of a central correspondence section. [35149]
Mr. Burt: All letters from hon. Members receive an individual reply which answers their specific queries. There are no plans to change this level of service.
Housing Benefit
Mr. Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the cost of the administration of housing benefit in each of the last five years. [34847]
Mr. Roger Evans: The information is set out in the table.
£ million Year |Outturn ------------------------ 1989-90 |286 1990-91 |207 1991-92 |225 1992-93 |249 1993-94 |272 Figures for the year 1994-95 are not yet available. Data Source: Social Security Departmental Report 1995 (Table 2 page 100).
Mr. Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest estimate of the average amount of housing benefit payable to people in receipt of (a) unemployment benefit, (b) severe disablement allowance and (c) incapacity benefit. [35295]
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Mr. Evans: The available information is set out in the table:
|Average weekly
|housing
Benefit with which |benefit May 1994
Housing
Benefit paid: |£
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Unemployment Benefit |38.85
Severe Disablement Allowance |39.24
Sickness Benefit |34.77
Invalidity Benefit |31.53
Notes:
Payment of the other benefit may be to either the claimant or the
partner.
Figures for Sickness Benefit and Invalidity Benefit are given as
Incapacity Benefit was only introduced in April 1995 and
information is not yet available.Housing Benefit Management
Information system, Annual 1 percent. sample May 1994.Source:
Housing Benefit Management Information system, Annual 1 per cent.
sample May 1994.
Disability Living Allowance
Mr. Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the average length of time (a) between a request for a disability living allowance review and a decision being made and (b) between lodging a disability allowance appeal and the date of a tribunal hearing; [35297]
(2) what was the number and percentage of disability living allowance decisions where the adjudication officer required (a) an examining medical officer's report, (b) a general practitioner's factual report and (c) any other evidence, between February 1994 and February 1995; [35299]
(3) how many requests for disability living allowance appeals (a) were received by his Department and (b) were outstanding in each month between February 1994 and February 1995 inclusive. [35300]
Mr. Andrew Mitchell: The information is not available in the format requested. Clearance times on reviews for the 1994 95 year was 82 per cent. cleared in 55 working days and 92 per cent. in 75 days against a target of 60 per cent. in 55 days and 80 per cent. in 75 days. For appeals, only one figure is held by the Independent Tribunal Service for both disability living allowance and disability working allowance. From the lodgement of the appeal to the first hearing, the average time in 23 weeks.
Disability living allowance decisions by type of evidence
(between 1 February 1994 and 28 February 1995)
|Number (000s)|Per cent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total decisions<1> |456 |100
Examining medical officer's report |82 |18
General practitioner's report |160 |35
Claim Pack<2> |196 |43
Any other evidence |18 |4
Note:
<1.> Excludes cases where the type of evidence is not known
<2.> Includes any supporting statements.
Source:
Analytical Services Division: 100 per cent. data.
DLA appeals (February 1994-February 1995) Month |Registered |Outstanding ------------------------------------------------ 1994 February |2,426 |17,546 March |2,521 |16,988 April |1,932 |16,395 May |1,717 |15,716 June |1,627 |14,849 July |1,972 |14,499 August |2,369 |14,441 September |2,568 |14,383 October |2,466 |14,582 November |3,124 |15,758 December |1,941 |16,245 1995 January |2,574 |17,611 February |2,857 |17,271 Source: DLA Management Support Unit.
Nursery Vouchers
Mr. Win Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he plans to disregard the value of the nursery voucher for four-year- olds for the purposes of income support and family credit. [35395]
Mr. Roger Evans: I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.
National Insurance
Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of (a) people and (b) firms, which pay national insurance contributions of type (i) class 1--employees, (ii) class 2--self-employed, (iii) class 3--voluntary contributions, (iv) class 4-- self-employed and (v) class 1--employers. [35354]
Mr. Heald: The information is as follows:
(i) 18.3 million
(ii) 2.4 million
(iii) 0.19 million
(iv) 1.7 million
(v) The Contribution Agency estimates that it will receive between 1.1 and 1.3 million sets of PAYE returns from employers for the 1993 94 tax year. Some employers may send in more than one set of returns.
Notes:
Average number paying in any week.
1. Separate details of the number of self-employed people working on their own account or as an employer are not available. The numbers of self- employed people who send in PAYE returns for their employees is included in (v).
Mr. Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are his estimates of the total annual revenue raised from national insurance contributions of both
Column 1098
contracted out and non-contracted out type for (a) class 1--employees, (b) class 2--self-employed, (c) class 3-- voluntary contributions, (d) class 4--self-employed and (e) class 1-- employers. [35355]Mr. Heald: The current estimates for 1994 95 are in the table:
|£ million
---------------------------------------------
(a) Gross |19,725
Contracted-out rebate<1> |1,950
Net |17,775
(b) |680
(c) |55
(d) |815
(e) Gross |26,575
Contracted-out rebate<1> |3,300
Net |23,275
Notes:
<1> In respect of contracted-out
occupational pension schemes only.
<2> It is estimated that employers will also
pay some £475 million due in respect of
company cars and fuel for their employees.
Source:
Government Actuary's Department.
Incapacity Benefit
Mr. Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have failed the all work test of incapacity (a) in total, (b) by region and (c) by gender; and how many of these are signing on as unemployed. [35252]
Mr. Burt: At 31 May, the latest date for which figures are available, 28 people had failed the all work test of incapacity. A breakdown of this figure by region and gender is not available.
Mr. Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people since April have failed to qualify for an increase in incapacity benefit for an adult dependant. [35246]
Mr. Burt The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people now receive incapacity benefit; and how many receive age allowances (a) at the higher rate, (b) at the middle rate and (c) at the lower rate. [35245]
Mr. Burt: At 31 May this year, the latest date for which figures are available, 1,994,891 people were in receipt of incapacity benefit. Two rates of age addition are payable with incapacity benefit. People in receipt of one of the three age additions payable with invalidity benefit prior to 13 April, will continue to receive the addition with incapacity benefit. Information on how many of those are in payment at the higher, middle and lower rates, is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Column 1097
SOCIAL SECURITY
Mr. Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many (a) men aged 65 and (b) aged 60 years have had their incapacity benefit withdrawn since April; [35247]
(2) how many people who have claimed incapacity benefit since April 1995 also receive income support. [35255]
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