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Disability Appeal Tribunals
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions she has had with the president of the independent tribunal service concerning the propriety of doctors who carry out medical examinations of disability living allowance claimants for the Benefits Agency being appointed as members of disability appeal tribunals. [10221]
Mr. Keith Bradley: On 9 July, we introduced the Social Security Bill which will modernise the delivery of social security, including the appeals system. This Bill provides for the Lord Chancellor or Lord Advocate in Scotland to appoint all tribunal members in the future. Medical members will be appointed in consultation with the chief medical officer.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not had any discussions with the president of the independent tribunal service regarding the propriety of doctors, but is satisfied that the current procedures in place for the appointment of members of disability appeal tribunals do not give rise to any conflict of interest.
24 Jul 1997 : Column: 745
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what proportion of appeals to social security, disability and child support appeal tribunals an oral hearing is requested. [10220]
Mr. Bradley:
On 9 July 1997, we introduced the Social Security Bill which will modernise the delivery of Social Security. This Bill contains measures to provide a simpler and more efficient appeal system.
| Per cent. | |
|---|---|
| Social security appeal tribunals | 38 |
| Disability appeal tribunals | 68 |
| Child support appeals | 35 |
All figures are estimates.
Lone Parents
Mr. Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the parent-plus pilot schemes to help lone parents obtain work have been cancelled. [10306]
Mr. Keith Bradley: The Government launched their new deal for lone parents on 21 July. This will provide help with moving into work, for initially up to 40,000 lone parents in England, Scotland and Wales. From October 1998, help will be offered to half a million lone parents whose youngest child is over five.
The Budget included £200 million over the life of this Parliament to fund the new deal for lone parents and improvements in help with child care costs. We will not therefore be proceeding with parent-plus.
Pensions
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what will be the annual value of the basic pension for a single person in each year from 1997-98 to 2039-40, at 1997 prices, if it is uprated in line with average earnings, assuming that earnings rise in real terms by 2 or 1.5 per cent. per annum. [10114]
Mr. Denham: The information is in the table.
(6) Actual.
1. The convention of rounding the standard weekly rate of Retirement Pension (RP) to the nearest 5p at each uprating has been applied.
2. The figures in columns 2 and 3 represent the appropriate weekly rate multiplied by 52.
3. The figures for 1997-98 are based upon the actual RP standard rate.
4. From April 1998-99 onwards the standard RP rate has been uprated in line with the assumptions requested.
24 Jul 1997 : Column: 746
Benefits Agency (Wales)
Mr. Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the current status of the document, "Benefits Agency (Wales), Blueprint for the Future." [10939]
Mr. Keith Bradley: The Government have new priorities for improving the delivery of social security, and we shall not be proceeding with the separate Welsh strategy set out in the blueprint for Wales.
We are determined to overhaul the service that we have inherited, to develop a modern integrated system that is simpler, streamlined and more efficient, and that strikes the right balance between people's rights and responsibilities.
We shall be looking at service provision to ensure that an equitable service is provided for all. This may be best achieved through a flexible approach, involving partnerships with other service providers, perhaps using other facilities on a casual basis or by using officers to visit customers in their homes or elsewhere. This is part of the Government's approach to getting public service agencies to work more effectively together. Concentrating staff in this way can improve the accuracy of work and can also bring efficiency gains. We are, however, clear that our strategy will continue to require a network of offices in which staff can speak to an advisor, as well as locations where customers can get access to information through direct-access kiosks.
24 Jul 1997 : Column: 747
The Government have promised to live within the budget set by the previous Administration and I have told staff to look for ways of improving efficiency and improving customer service.
Mr. Steinberg:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people who have been denied incapacity benefit due to their inability to fulfil the all work test have also been denied jobseeker's allowance because they cannot fulfil the requirements of the jobseeker's agreement (a) in the Durham area and (b) in England. [7656]
Mr. Keith Bradley:
We are committed to a review of the objective of reducing poverty and welfare dependency and to promote work incentives. We want to develop a system that supports work, savings and honesty. One of our first steps is to focus on helping people off welfare and into work. Support for sick and disabled people will form part of the review. The administration of incapacity benefit and jobseeker's allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
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