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Jobseeker's Allowance

Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what considerations and costs are taken into account when determining the level of jobseeker's allowance. [10575]

Malcolm Wicks: Jobseeker's allowance consists of both a contribution-based and an income-based element. The rates of jobseeker's allowance are intended to cover normal day-to-day living expenses and are reviewed annually using the Rossi index.

Entitlement to contribution-based jobseeker's allowance is not affected by the amount of capital a person has although part-time earnings and occupational or personal pensions are taken into account. When determining income-based jobseeker's allowance most forms of income a person or their partner have are taken into account. The amount of capital held can also affect the amount of benefit.

Child Support Agency

Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to increase the staff of the Child Support Agency while the new assessment procedures are implemented. [10417]

Malcolm Wicks [holding answer 26 October 2001]: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Mr. Doug Smith to Mr. David Willetts, dated 6 November 2001:



7 Nov 2001 : Column: 311W



Attendance Allowance

Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time was between receipt of requests to re-examine claims for attendance allowance and their examination, in each of the last four years. [11386]

Maria Eagle: This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated November 2001:





DateAverage days taken
Reviews (AA) April 1997-March 1998
April 199743.20
May 199744.72
June 199753.69
July 199753.17
August 199752.57
September 199752.17
October 199750.40
November 199747.99
December 199745.34
January 199848.41
February 199842.30
March 199838.48
Reviews (AA) April 1998-March 1999
April 199839.10
May 199838.04
June 199838.90
July 199840.58
August 199842.06
September 199843.54
October 199843.54
November 199843.24
December 199844.38
January 199946.05
February 199954.39
March 199944.13
Reviews (AA) April 1999-March 2000
April 199944.34
May 199946.07
June 199951.14
July 199954.73
August 199954.61
September 199952.57
October 199953.98
November 199967.75
December 199975.17
January 200090.78
February 2000105.59
March 2000129.80
Reconsiderations (AA) October 1999-March 2000
April 1999
May 1999
June 1999
July 1999
August 1999
September 1999
October 199924
November 199928
December 199936
January 200052
February 200062
March 200065
Reconsiderations (AA) April 2000-March 2001
April 200063
May 200060.2
June 200054.4
July 200050.9
August 200047.5
September 200051.8
October 200046.1
November 200044.9
December 200042.2
January 200144.4
February 200140.5
March 200135.6
Reconsiderations (AA) April 2001-September 2001
April 200136
May 200133.9
June 200135.3
July 200136.1
August 200136.1
September 200138.5

7 Nov 2001 : Column: 312W

Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what factors determine the length of time for a decision to be given in response to those who request that their claims for attendance allowance are re-examined; and if he will make a statement. [11388]

Maria Eagle: This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 6 November 2001:




7 Nov 2001 : Column: 313W

Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many appeals against decisions on attendance allowance have been made in each of the last 12 months for which figures are available; and how many (a) have been allowed, (b) have been dismissed and (c) are awaiting a decision in each of the last four years. [11385]

Maria Eagle: This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.

7 Nov 2001 : Column: 314W

Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 6 November 2001:




MonthAA appeals registeredAllowed appeals (a)Dismissed appeals (b)Outstanding appeals (c)Total number of cleared cases (d)
October 20001,43438633,1161,271
November 20001,54550262,2841,539
December 20001,02342561,9581,246
January 20011,31161381,6982,008
February 20011,33063641,6721,770
March 20011,44264251,6491,688
April 20011,31743111,7991,227
May 20011,21244831,6461,237
June 20011,26343031,4751,210
July 20011,33143131,4471,266
August 20011,26139731,5161,142
September 20011,12933851,6761,078

(a) Allowed appeals include allowed or increased appeals.

(d) Dismissed appeals include cases where entitlement is reduced or disallowed on appeal.

(c) Outstanding appeals include all cases sent to the Tribunal awaiting a decision.

(d) The total number of cleared cases column includes allowed, dismissed, maintained and various other outcomes that are not appropriate to the stated categories.

It is not possible, from overall statistics to track individual claims through the subsequent stages.


Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time is for dealing with requests by those seeking an explanation for decisions relating to claims for attendance allowance. [11384]

Maria Eagle: This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated November 2001:





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