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20 May 2003 : Column 746W—continued

Brain Injury Rehabilitation (North-East)

Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many places he commissioned at the Rehab UK brain injury rehabilitation centre in the North-East in each of the last three full financial years; how many places were allocated this year; and how many are planned for 2003–04. [104722]

Mr. Nicholas Brown: Jobcentre Plus has a contract with Rehab UK to provide Work Preparation programmes for people with brain injuries. This provision is not commissioned in terms of a set number of places, but is purchased as and when required up to the financial limit of the contract.

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The available information is in the table.

Financial yearNumber of places accessed
1999–20006
2000–0121
2001–0229
2002–0323
2003–04(16) 23

(16) Estimated

Note:

Spending on this provision increased by 23 per cent. in 2002–03 when compared with the previous year. However, because of a sharp rise (84.5 per cent.) in the unit cost of places at the Tyne and Wear centre, the number of customers accessing this provision fell.

Source:

Jobcentre Plus management information


Incapacity Benefit

Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what action he is taking to encourage persons on incapacity benefit to maximise their overall benefits (a) after 28 weeks, when incapacity benefit is increased to the short-term higher rate and (b) after 52 weeks, when a claimant becomes entitled to a disability premium on income support. [111670]

Mr. Nicholas Brown: The Department administers benefits in accordance with the law.

Procedures are in place to help ensure that people in receipt of Incapacity Benefit (IB) do not miss out on the support they are entitled to. People with special care needs, or because other special rules apply, may qualify for both the long-term rate of IB and the Income Support Disability Premium after 28 weeks instead of 52. People are contacted in advance of their 28th week of incapacity to check whether they have any such entitlement.

Where Income Support is disallowed at the start of an IB claim, but a person would potentially be entitled after 52 weeks because they satisfy the conditions of the Disability Premium, a letter is issued advising them to make a claim shortly before the end of the qualifying period.

Mr. Curry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what percentage of those claiming long-term incapacity benefit (a) also claim home support and (b) are estimated also to be entitled to income support; [113105]

Mr. Nicholas Brown: The available information is in the table. Numbers claiming both Incapacity Benefit (IB) and Income Support (IS) at November 2002, broken down by rate.

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Numbers claiming both Incapacity Benefit (IB) and Income Support (IS) at November 2002, broken down by rate

People claiming IBPeople claiming IB who are also in receiptof ISProportion of people claiming IB who are also in receipt of IS (Percentage)
IB Short Term Lower rate91,30028,20030.9
IB Short Term Higher rate89,30014,40016.1
IB Long Term rate1,334,900272,70020.4
IB credits only868,700741,80085.4
Total2,384,2001,057,10044.3

Notes:

1. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred and are subject to a degree of sampling variation

2. No estimate is available of the number of people claiming Incapacity Benefit who would also be eligible for Income Support

Source:

Figures are based on 5 per cent samples of the Incapacity Benefit and Income Support computer systems and exclude a small number of cases held clerically.


Mr. Curry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what percentage of those claiming short-term higher rate incapacity benefit are receiving free prescriptions because they have completed an HC1 form; and what steps the Government are taking to inform people about the availability of free prescriptions in those circumstances; [113104]

Mr. Nicholas Brown: The information is not available.

Information about the arrangements for providing help with NHS prescription charges and other health costs is provided in leaflet HC11 "Are you entitled to help with health costs?", which is available from main post offices, Jobcentres, social security offices, NHS hospitals and elsewhere. This leaflet and further information about help with health costs is also available through the Department of Health's website at: www.doh.gov.uk/nhscharges/index.htm.

Jobcentre Plus

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will make a statement on the future of Jobcentre Plus; and what plans he has that will affect (a) the staff and (b) the level of service they offer the public; [112061]

Mr. Nicholas Brown: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Acting Chief Executive, Clare Dodgson. I have asked her to reply to the hon. Member.

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Letter from Clare Dodgson to Mr. Hancock, dated 20 May 2003:











20 May 2003 : Column 750W


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