House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 27 Jan 2003 (pt 36)

27 Jan 2003 : Column 650W—continued

Child Support

Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he intends to evaluate the outcomes of the child support reforms IT system testing. [91295]

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale (Mr. Duncan) on 27 November 2002, Official Report, column 317 W.

Child Support Agency

Mr. Denis Murphy : To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many CSA cases were referred to the Independent Case Examiner in the last year; what the average time taken to determine each case; what and how many complaints were upheld. [88155]

Malcolm Wicks: The information is in the table.

Further information is available in the Independent Case Examiner's Annual Report for 2001–02, a copy of which is available in the Library.

April 2001-March 2002

Complaints Number

Complaints received 1,498

Accepted for examination 772

Resolved 424

Areas of complaint (per cent.)

Delay 17.1

Error 7.0

Enforcement 4.6

Communication 23.6

Failure to take action 29.1

Staff bias/attitude 3.9

Compensation 6.8

Other 8.0

Average clearance time (weeks) 32.28

Findings

Fully upheld 46

Partially upheld 141

Not upheld 26

Complaints	Number
Complaints received	1,498
Accepted for examination	772
Resolved	424

Areas of complaint (per cent.)
Delay	17.1
Error	7.0
Enforcement	4.6
Communication	23.6
Failure to take action	29.1
Staff bias/attitude	3.9
Compensation	6.8
Other	8.0

Average clearance time (weeks)	32.28

Findings
Fully upheld	46
Partially upheld	141
Not upheld	26

Notes:

1. Complaints are only classified as fully, partially or not upheld if they cannot be resolved through conciliation between the client and the Child Support Agency.

2. It may be of interest for you to know that we are advised by the Agency that at the end of November 2002, the Agency's live and assessed caseload was 1,088,920.

3. Figures are in thousands and rounded to the nearest hundred.

27 Jan 2003 : Column 651W

Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if it is his intention to transfer the existing Child Support Agency caseload onto the new scheme on a single common date. [91296]

Malcolm Wicks: Current plans envisage that existing cases will be converted to the new scheme on a common date. Where it emerges that a new application for child support maintenance is linked to an existing case, for example, because the non-resident parent is the same person in both cases, then the existing case will be transferred to the new scheme early.

Clergy

Mr. Laurence Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what effect changes proposed in the recent Green Paper on retirement would have on the retirement age of clergy. [90570]

Mr. Bell: I have been asked to reply.

Currently the majority of Church of England clergy must retire on reaching 70, under the Ecclesiastical Offices (Age Limit) Measure 1975. Since the Government is still consulting on how the Employment Directive—to which Chapter 6 of the Green Paper refers—should be implemented as regards discrimination on grounds of age, it is not yet possible to say what its effect will be and whether changes will be required to the 1975 Measure.

However, since most clergy choose to retire before reaching 70, I do not envisage significant effect in practice on the retirement age of clergy.

Computers

Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer, ref. 88450, on the cost of new PCs installed in his Department, if he will provide a breakdown of the figure of £156.7 million into the cost of the (a) machines, (b) software and (c) network; how many machines were installed; what the average cost of each machine was; and if he will provide a breakdown of the figure of £58.5 million for installation costs, indicating what services were provided in relation to the installation of the machines. [89919]

Mr. McCartney: By 30 November 2002 the Department for Work and Pensions had installed 100,120 workstations (desktops and laptops) along with the associated software, smart card readers, printers, servers and switches.

The £156.7 million capital expenditure up to 30 November 2002 is broken down as follows.

27 Jan 2003 : Column 652W

£ million

Desktops 85.2

Laptops 7.5

Printers 11.1

Software 18.2

Servers 24.0

Network Switches 10.7

	£ million
Desktops	85.2
Laptops	7.5
Printers	11.1
Software	18.2
Servers	24.0
Network Switches	10.7

The cost of a desktop workstation (including base unit, monitor, and keyboard) has been negotiated down from £838 to £804 during the course of rollout. The specification has also improved with each bulk order.

The £58.5 million installation costs are covered by two contracts with suppliers. The detailed breakdown of costs is commercially sensitive information which could enable suppliers to gain an advantage in pricing negotiations. Such information is not disclosed under part 2, paragraph 13 of the Code of Practice an Access to Government Information. However, the services provided are delivery, on-site allocation and testing, disposal and warehousing, implementation management, ordering, work scheduling, planning, central support, migration of data, network connection, on-site management and problem resolution.

Departmental Assets

Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what sales of heritage assets and antique assets have been made by his Department since May 1997; and if he will list such assets; and if he will estimate the total sales proceeds. [92402]

Mr. McCartney: No sales of heritage or antique assets have been made by the Department for Work and Pensions since May 1997.

Disability Living Allowance

Malcolm Bruce : To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many deaf people were provided with a qualified British Sign Language interpreter when attending a medical assessment for disability living allowance in each year since 1997. [92720]

Maria Eagle [holding answer 23 January 2003]: The information requested is not available. SchlumbergerSema Medical Services do not keep records of the numbers of requests made for a Sign Language interpreter to attend at medical assessments. All customers are informed of the availability of interpreter services on request.

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many disability living allowance awards have been made for which deafness is the main disability condition, broken down by (a) age and (b) type of award, including (i) care only component, (ii) mobility only component and (iii) combined care and mobility components. [92721]

Maria Eagle [holding answer 23 January 2003]: The information requested is detailed in the table.

27 Jan 2003 : Column 653W

Number of DLA recipients where the main disabling condition was deafness or deaf and blind, by age and component as at 31 May 2002Thousands

Higher care and Higher care only Middle care and Middle care only Lower care and Lower care only Mobility

All Higher mobility Lower mobility Higher mobility Lower mobility Higher mobility Lower mobility Higher Lower

All 28.5 0.6 ⁽²⁶⁾0.3 ⁽²⁶⁾0.2 0.7 9.7 8.1 ⁽²⁶⁾0.3 2.7 3.4 ⁽²⁶⁾0.4 2.0

0–4 1.3 — — ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 — — 1.1 — — — — —

5–15 7.9 ⁽²⁶⁾0.2 ⁽²⁶⁾0.3 ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 4.2 2.2 — ⁽²⁶⁾0.2 ⁽²⁶⁾0.2 — ⁽²⁶⁾0.4

16–24 4.0 — — — — 1.8 0.9 — ⁽²⁶⁾0.4 ⁽²⁶⁾0.3 — ⁽²⁶⁾0.4

25–29 1.4 — — — — ⁽²⁶⁾0.4 ⁽²⁶⁾0.4 — ⁽²⁶⁾0.2 ⁽²⁶⁾0.2 ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 ⁽²⁶⁾0.1

30–34 2.0 — — — ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 0.6 0.6 — ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 ⁽²⁶⁾0.4 — ⁽²⁶⁾0.1

35–39 2.5 ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 — — ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 0.6 0.8 — ⁽²⁶⁾0.4 ⁽²⁶⁾0.4 — ⁽²⁶⁾0.2

40–44 2.1 — — — ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 0.5 0.5 — ⁽²⁶⁾0.4 0.5 — —

45–49 1.3 — — — — ⁽²⁶⁾0.2 0.5 — ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 ⁽²⁶⁾0.2 — ⁽²⁶⁾0.2

50–54 1.4 — — — ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 ⁽²⁶⁾0.3 ⁽²⁶⁾0.2 — ⁽²⁶⁾0.2 ⁽²⁶⁾0.4 — ⁽²⁶⁾0.2

55–59 1.8 — — — ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 ⁽²⁶⁾0.5 ⁽²⁶⁾0.4 — ⁽²⁶⁾0.3 ⁽²⁶⁾0.3 ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 ⁽²⁶⁾0.1

60–64 1.5 — — — ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 ⁽²⁶⁾0.4 ⁽²⁶⁾0.3 ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 ⁽²⁶⁾0.2 ⁽²⁶⁾0.2 ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 ⁽²⁶⁾0.1

65+ 1.3 ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 — — ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 ⁽²⁶⁾0.2 ⁽²⁶⁾0.2 ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 ⁽²⁶⁾0.2 ⁽²⁶⁾0.1 ⁽²⁶⁾0.2

		Higher care and	Higher care only	Middle care and	Middle care only	Lower care and	Lower care only	Mobility
	All	Higher mobility	Lower mobility		Higher mobility	Lower mobility		Higher mobility	Lower mobility		Higher	Lower
All	28.5	0.6	⁽²⁶⁾0.3	⁽²⁶⁾0.2	0.7	9.7	8.1	⁽²⁶⁾0.3	2.7	3.4	⁽²⁶⁾0.4	2.0
0–4	1.3	—	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	—	—	1.1	—	—	—	—	—
5–15	7.9	⁽²⁶⁾0.2	⁽²⁶⁾0.3	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	4.2	2.2	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.2	⁽²⁶⁾0.2	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.4
16–24	4.0	—	—	—	—	1.8	0.9	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.4	⁽²⁶⁾0.3	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.4
25–29	1.4	—	—	—	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.4	⁽²⁶⁾0.4	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.2	⁽²⁶⁾0.2	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	⁽²⁶⁾0.1
30–34	2.0	—	—	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	0.6	0.6	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	⁽²⁶⁾0.4	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.1
35–39	2.5	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	—	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	0.6	0.8	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.4	⁽²⁶⁾0.4	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.2
40–44	2.1	—	—	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	0.5	0.5	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.4	0.5	—	—
45–49	1.3	—	—	—	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.2	0.5	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	⁽²⁶⁾0.2	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.2
50–54	1.4	—	—	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	⁽²⁶⁾0.3	⁽²⁶⁾0.2	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.2	⁽²⁶⁾0.4	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.2
55–59	1.8	—	—	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	⁽²⁶⁾0.5	⁽²⁶⁾0.4	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.3	⁽²⁶⁾0.3	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	⁽²⁶⁾0.1
60–64	1.5	—	—	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	⁽²⁶⁾0.4	⁽²⁶⁾0.3	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	⁽²⁶⁾0.2	⁽²⁶⁾0.2	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	⁽²⁶⁾0.1
65+	1.3	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	—	—	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	⁽²⁶⁾0.2	⁽²⁶⁾0.2	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	⁽²⁶⁾0.2	⁽²⁶⁾0.1	⁽²⁶⁾0.2

Source:

IAD Information Centre, data taken from 5 per cent. sample.

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many disability living allowance applications by people whose main disabling condition is deafness were refused at (a) initial application, (b) reconsideration and (c) aural tribunal in (i) England, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Wales in each year since 1997. [92722]

Maria Eagle [holding answer 23 January 2003]: Information regarding applications which have been refused is not readily available by disabling condition and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Source:

IAD Information Centre.

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many disability living allowance awards there were to (a) disabled people and (b) people whose main disabling condition is deafness in each year since 1997; and how many of these were granted at (i) initial application, (ii) reconsideration and (iii) aural tribunal, in (A) England, (B) Wales and (C) Scotland. [92723]

Maria Eagle [holding answer 23 January 2003]: The available information is set out in the tables. Figures for reconsideration are not available by disability or by region. We are currently unable to supply statistically reliable information on those successful at appeal.

Number of Disability Living Allowance awards to disabled people in general in England, Scotland and Wales since 1997Thousand

All England Scotland Wales

1996–97 287.5 233.0 30.6 23.8

1997–98 248.0 202.4 26.5 19.1

1998–99 215.5 177.4 23.0 15.1

1999–2000 217.4 176.8 24.5 16.2

2000–01 254.0 208.8 28.0 17.1

2000–02 252.8 205.3 29.0 18.5

	All	England	Scotland	Wales
1996–97	287.5	233.0	30.6	23.8
1997–98	248.0	202.4	26.5	19.1
1998–99	215.5	177.4	23.0	15.1
1999–2000	217.4	176.8	24.5	16.2
2000–01	254.0	208.8	28.0	17.1
2000–02	252.8	205.3	29.0	18.5

Note:

Figures are in thousands and rounded to the nearest hundred.

Source:

IAD Information Centre, data taken from 5 per cent. sample (1 June–31May each year).

27 Jan 2003 : Column 654W

Number of Disability Living Allowance awards where the main disabling condition is deafness or deaf and blind in England, Scotland and Wales since 1997Thousand

All England Scotland Wales

1996–97 3.0 2.4 ⁽²⁶⁾0.3 ⁽²⁶⁾0.2

1997–98 4.5 4.0 ⁽²⁶⁾0.3 ⁽²⁶⁾0.2

1998–99 3.5 3.1 ⁽²⁶⁾0.2 ⁽²⁶⁾0.2

1999–2000 3.1 2.8 ⁽²⁶⁾0.2 ⁽²⁶⁾0.1

2000–01 3.0 2.6 ⁽²⁶⁾0.3 ⁽²⁶⁾0.2

2001–02 2.8 2.3 ⁽²⁶⁾0.3 ⁽²⁶⁾0.2

	All	England	Scotland	Wales
1996–97	3.0	2.4	⁽²⁶⁾0.3	⁽²⁶⁾0.2
1997–98	4.5	4.0	⁽²⁶⁾0.3	⁽²⁶⁾0.2
1998–99	3.5	3.1	⁽²⁶⁾0.2	⁽²⁶⁾0.2
1999–2000	3.1	2.8	⁽²⁶⁾0.2	⁽²⁶⁾0.1
2000–01	3.0	2.6	⁽²⁶⁾0.3	⁽²⁶⁾0.2
2001–02	2.8	2.3	⁽²⁶⁾0.3	⁽²⁶⁾0.2

⁽²⁶⁾ Less than 500 and subject to a high degree of sampling variation.

Note:

Figures are in thousands and rounded to the nearest hundred.

Source:

IAD Information Centre, data taken from 5 per cent. sample (1 June–31 May each year)

Number of Disability Living Allowance awards granted on initial application in England, Scotland and Wales since 1997Thousand

All England Scotland Wales

1996–97 234.0 191.9 22.9 19.2

1997–98 198.4 163.9 19.0 15.5

1998–99 173.5 144.6 16.7 12.2

1999/2000 178.3 146.2 18.8 13.4

2000–01 207.7 173.3 20.8 13.6

2001–02 210.1 173.1 21.5 15.5

	All	England	Scotland	Wales
1996–97	234.0	191.9	22.9	19.2
1997–98	198.4	163.9	19.0	15.5
1998–99	173.5	144.6	16.7	12.2
1999/2000	178.3	146.2	18.8	13.4
2000–01	207.7	173.3	20.8	13.6
2001–02	210.1	173.1	21.5	15.5

Note:

Figures are in thousands and rounded to the nearest hundred.

Source:

IAD Information Centre, data taken from 5 per cent. sample (1 June–31 May each year).

Number of Disability Living Allowance awards granted on initial application where the main disabling condition is deafness or deaf and blind in England, Scotland and Wales since 1997Thousand

All England Scotland Wales

1996–97 1.7 1.4 ⁽²⁷⁾0.1 ⁽²⁷⁾0.1

1997–98 2.3 2.1 ⁽²⁷⁾0.1 ⁽²⁷⁾0.1

1998–99 1.8 1.6 ⁽²⁸⁾— ⁽²⁷⁾0.1

1999–2000 2.0 1.8 ⁽²⁷⁾0.1 ⁽²⁷⁾0.1

2000–01 2.0 1.8 ⁽²⁷⁾0.1 ⁽²⁷⁾0.1

2001–02 1.9 1.6 ⁽²⁷⁾0.2 ⁽²⁷⁾0.1

	All	England	Scotland	Wales
1996–97	1.7	1.4	⁽²⁷⁾0.1	⁽²⁷⁾0.1
1997–98	2.3	2.1	⁽²⁷⁾0.1	⁽²⁷⁾0.1
1998–99	1.8	1.6	⁽²⁸⁾—	⁽²⁷⁾0.1
1999–2000	2.0	1.8	⁽²⁷⁾0.1	⁽²⁷⁾0.1
2000–01	2.0	1.8	⁽²⁷⁾0.1	⁽²⁷⁾0.1
2001–02	1.9	1.6	⁽²⁷⁾0.2	⁽²⁷⁾0.1

⁽²⁷⁾ Less than 500 and subject to a high degree of sampling variation.

⁽²⁸⁾ Nil or negligible.

Note:

Figures are in thousands and rounded to the nearest hundred.

Source:

IAD Information Centre, data taken from 5 per cent sample (1 June–31 May each year).

27 Jan 2003 : Column 655W

Number of Disability Living Allowance awards successful on reconsideration in Great Britain since 1997

All

1996–97 68,710

1997–98 65,950

1998–99 51,650

1999–2000 42,755

2000–01 33,895

2001–02 30,960

	All
1996–97	68,710
1997–98	65,950
1998–99	51,650
1999–2000	42,755
2000–01	33,895
2001–02	30,960

Note:

Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.

Source:

IAD Information Centre, data taken from 100 per cent. monthly MIS data (1 June-31 May each year).

Successful includes awards which were increased and awards which were allowed.

Next Section

Index

Home Page