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13 Feb 2003 : Column 954W—continued
Child Support Agency (Scotland)
Mr. MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases are being dealt with by the Child Support Agency; and how many cases were received in each of the last five years in (a) Scotland and (b) Fife. [93556]
Malcolm Wicks: 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 D. Smith to Mr. J. MacDougall, dated February 2003:
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
You ask how many cases are being dealt with by the Child Support Agency; and how many cases were received in each of the last five years in (a) Scotland and (b) Fife.
The number of cases currently being dealt with by the Child Support Agency is 1,349,213.
I'm afraid I do not have precise numbers with relation to the amount of cases received in the last five years in Scotland and Fife. My best estimate is:
| Year to 31 March | Scotland | Fife |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 43,000 | 1,400 |
| 2000 | 32,500 | 850 |
| 2001 | 31,000 | 800 |
| 2002 | 31,000 | 500 |
Computer Misuse
Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases of computer misuse there were in his Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action. [93047]
Malcolm Wicks: The Department treats very seriously any suspicion of misuse of computer systems by staff and takes firm action in any cases that arise. All such cases, if proven, result in disciplinary action being taken against the offender leading to either a disciplinary penalty or dismissal. In addition over the last five years three members of staff have been prosecuted for computer misuse offences.
The table provides details of the number of proven cases by category in each year. All these cases have resulted in disciplinary action being taken. Machinery of Government changes make year on year comparisons difficult.
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| Number of proven cases | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | 1998–99 | 1999–2000 | 2000–01 | 2001–02 | 2002–03 |
| Unauthorised access to computer systems | 30 | 72 | 56 | 86 | 29 |
| Use of unauthorised software | 0 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Manipulation of computer systems | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 2 |
1. The figures provided for 2002–03 cover the year to date and represent proven
cases only. Several investigations are ongoing, but have not been included, as the
results are not known yet.
2. Only the figures for 2002–03 relate to the Department for Work and Pensions. Previous figures relate to the Department of Social Security.
Definition of Categories
Unauthorised access to computer systems.
This is generally where staff access records and there is no genuine business need to do so.
Use of unauthorised software.
This includes the loading and use of non-departmental approved software onto departmental systems. This could include games or other programmes downloaded from the internet or brought in from home.
Manipulation of computer systems.
Where the perpetrator has manipulated computer programmes or data dishonestly e.g. to alter or substitute records, to destroy or suppress records, or to duplicate or create spurious records.
Demography
Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what recent discussions he has had with European colleagues regarding a EU-wide approach to problems arising from changes in the average age of the population of Europe; [88874]
- (2) what recent discussions he has had with European colleagues regarding pension reforms; and what issues were addressed and what conclusions were reached. [88876]
Malcolm Wicks: Whenever possible, we take the opportunity to exchange views with European Union counterparts on the challenges of ageing populations to employment strategy, social protection and social inclusion. The principal discussions in this area have been on the effect of demographic changes on the sustainability of pension systems where we regularly take the opportunity to exchange views with European Union counterparts on respective national approaches to pensions issues. The Lisbon European Council in March 2000 identified this as a significant issue in the context of its programme for economic reform. The United Kingdom has contributed to the voluntary exchange of information and good practice by member States within a framework of common objectives covering adequacy, financial sustainability and modernisation agreed during the Swedish Presidency of the EU.
As part of this process the European Commission publiched a Draft Joint report on Adequate and Sustainable Pensions in December 2002 based on national contributions. The draft Joint Report is due for adoption at the Employment and Social Afairs and Ecofin Councils on 6 and 7 March 2003, prior to presentation to Heads of Government at the Spring Council.
Departmental Budget
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the increase in his Department's budget in each year since 1980–81, in real terms; and if he will make a statement. [96814]
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Mr. McCartney: The Department for Work and Pensions came into being on 1 April 2001. Consequently, there are no comparable figures prior to this date. The final provision for 2002–03 has yet to receive parliamentary approval and therefore a comparison with expenditure for 2001–02 cannot be made. The current expenditure plans of the Department for Work and Pensions are contained in Tables 1 to 11 of the Departmental Report, "The Government Expenditure Plans 2002–03 to 2003–04" (Command 5424).
Disability Living Allowance
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applicants for disability living allowance were (a) granted on first application and (b) successful on review in the Orkney and Shetland constituency in each of the last five years. [96759]
Maria Eagle: The number of disability living allowance claims which were (a) granted on first application and (b) successful on review in the Orkney and Shetland constituency in the last five years, is detailed in the table.
| Granted on initial claim | Granted on review | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 September 2001–31 August 2002 | (31)0.1 | (32)— |
| 1 September 2000–31 August 2001 | (31)0.1 | (32)— |
| 1 September 1999–31 August 2000 | (31)0.1 | (32)— |
| 1 September 1998–31 August 1999 | (31)0.1 | (32)— |
| 1 September 1997–31 August 1998 | (31)0.1 | (31)0.1 |
(31) Figures are less than 500 and subject to a high degree of sampling variation and should only be used as a guide to the current situation.
(32) Nil or negligible.
Source:
IAD information Centre, data taken from 5 per cent. sample.
David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people claim Disability Living Allowance in (a) Haltemprice and Howden, (b) the East Riding of Yorkshire and (c) England; and if he will break down the figures by disabling condition. [97736]
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Maria Eagle: Entitlement to DLA is based on the extent to which a severely disabled person requires attention, supervision or watching over by another person and/or has walking difficulties as a result of their disabilities not on a particular diagnosis or condition.
The information requested is contained in the following tables.
| All | 2.2 |
|---|---|
| Arthritis | 0.5 |
| Muscle/Joint/Bone Disease | (33)0.2 |
| Blindness | (33)0.1 |
| Stroke-related | (33)0.1 |
| Learning Difficulty | (33)0.1 |
| Other mental health causes | (33)0.1 |
| Epilepsy | (33)0.1 |
| Malignant Disease | (34)— |
| Back ailments | (33)0.2 |
| Heart Disease | (33)0.1 |
| Parkinsons Disease | (34)— |
| Diabetes Mellitus | (33)0.1 |
| Skin diseases | (34)— |
| Other | 0.5 |
| All | 12.2 |
|---|---|
| Arthritis | 2.8 |
| Muscle/Joint/Bone Disease | 0.9 |
| Blindness | (33)0.3 |
| Stroke-related | (33)0.4 |
| Learning Difficulty | 1.3 |
| Other mental health causes | 1.0 |
| Epilepsy | (33)0.3 |
| Deafness | (33)0.1 |
| Malignant Disease | (33)0.3 |
| Chest Disease | (33)0.3 |
| Back ailments | 1.3 |
| Heart Disease | 0.8 |
| Parkinsons Disease | (33)0.1 |
| Diabetes Mellitus | (33)0.2 |
| Renal disorders | (34)— |
| Skin diseases | (33)0.1 |
| Other | 19 |
(33) Figures are under 500 and therefore are subject to a high degree of sampling variation and should only be used as a guide to the current situation.
(34) Nil or negligible
Notes:
1. Figures taken from a 5 per cent. sample at 31 August 2002.
2. Figures are in thousands and rounded to the nearest hundred.
Source:
IAD Information Centre
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