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6 Feb 2007 : Column 865W—continued


Hastings benefit delivery centre

Percentage
Target Performance

Benefit delivery (accuracy)

Income support

89.7

86.14

Jobseekers allowance

93.7

85.13

Incapacity benefit

95

97.3


Days
Target Performance

Actual average clearance time

Income support

11

11.42

Jobseekers allowance

12

12.96

Incapacity benefit

18

14.88


Mental Health

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the incidence of fluctuating mental health conditions amongst (a) incapacity benefit claimants and (b) the general population in each of the last 10 years. [109977]

Mrs. McGuire: Any mental health condition can fluctuate, and most do; therefore estimates of the incidence of fluctuating conditions amongst Incapacity Benefit claimants and the general population are not meaningful. We recognise that many mental health conditions can vary in severity; and it is important to bear this in mind when assessing the effects of any mental health condition.

Medical diagnoses for people on incapacity benefit are based on the International Classification of Diseases and while this includes Mental and Behavioural Disorders the current version does not include a category relating specifically to fluctuating conditions.

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what research has been carried out by his Department into the reasons for trends in the number of first time claimants of incapacity benefit due to mental ill health. [109978]


6 Feb 2007 : Column 866W

Mrs. McGuire: We are interested in learning more about people coming onto incapacity benefits. In 2006 the Department published “Routes onto incapacity benefits: findings from qualitative research” (DWP, Roy Sainsbury and Jacqueline Davidson (Research Report 350 available in the House of Commons Library)). This study is currently being complemented by a survey to pursue some of the findings further, and to generate findings that can be generalised to the wider incapacity benefits population. Fieldwork is in its final stages and we hope to publish findings in spring 2007.

The Department is particularly interested in those claiming incapacity benefits who have a mental health condition and it has recently embarked on a programme of work with this particular group. The programme will include exploring issues affecting those coming on to incapacity benefits who were previously in work.

The number of people coming onto incapacity benefits citing mental and behavioural disorders as their primary condition is down by 14,000 (6 per cent.) in the last year. Also, the number of people citing mental and behavioural disorders leaving these benefits has been increasing from 180,000 in 1997 to 219,000 in the last year.

From 2008, we are replacing incapacity benefits with a new employment and support allowance for all new claimants. The transformed personal capability assessment will allow us to fully assess the impact that a mental health condition has on an individual’s capability for work, based on the best evidence.

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which employers are working with his Department to develop schemes to assist people with mental health problems (a) to remain in work and (b) to return to work; and what the (i) content, (ii) expected outcomes and (iii) methods of evaluation are of these schemes. [109979]

Mrs. McGuire: We are currently consulting with employer organisations such as the Employers Forum on Disability and the National Employment Panel, which are committed to increasing job opportunities for disabled people, including those with a mental health condition.

Alongside this work, the Chancellor announced, in his 2006 Budget, a review of policies needed to improve mental health and employment outcomes. As part of this ongoing review we are looking at how we can raise awareness of mental well-being among employers, improving the signposting of support and advice available to both employers and employees.

Minimum Wage Earners

Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the potential impact on the finances of those on the minimum wage of the requirement to take out a personal pension plan or savings scheme. [117276]

James Purnell: Whether or not to save for a pension remains a matter for individuals to decide, and needs to be based on their personal circumstances and lifestyle, including those people on national minimum wages. The May 2006 White Paper, “Security in retirement
6 Feb 2007 : Column 867W
towards a new pension system” indicates that around 2 per cent. of employees in the group eligible for automatic enrolment are estimated to be on the national minimum wage.

The Government are keen to see pension saving increase, particularly among people on moderate to low incomes. That is why we will be introducing a new, simple, low cost pension savings vehicle, where the eligible savings of hard working people who want to save will be enhanced by contributions from their employers and normal tax relief.


6 Feb 2007 : Column 868W

National Insurance Numbers

Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many national insurance numbers were issued to (a) non-British EU citizens and (b) non-EU citizens in each month since January 1997. [116603]

Mr. Plaskitt: Information is not available prior to April 2002. The available information is in the following table.


6 Feb 2007 : Column 869W

6 Feb 2007 : Column 870W
National insurance number registrations in respect of non-UK nationals in the months shown
Month of registration All EU Non-EU

6 to 30 April 2002

17,670

5,130

12,540

May 2002

19,220

5,080

14,140

June 2002

16,840

4,150

12,690

July 2002

27,410

6,780

20,630

August 2002

31,160

8,080

23,080

September 2002

35,870

9,020

26,860

October 2002

30,760

7,860

22,900

November 2002

32,500

8,830

23,670

December 2002

27,300

7,630

19,670

January 2003

37,640

10,050

27,590

February 2003

35,560

9,960

25,600

March 2003

31,380

8,510

22,880

1 to 5 April 2003

5,930

1,640

4,290

6 to 30 April 2003

22,260

6,100

16,160

May 2003

21,030

5,830

15,200

June 2003

26,360

7,070

19,290

July 2003

33,720

8,690

25,030

August 2003

26,100

7,150

18,950

September 2003

34,910

8,910

26,000

October 2003

29,390

7,960

21,430

November 2003

31,200

9,730

21,470

December 2003

26,720

8,300

18,430

January 2004

33,000

9,890

23,110

February 2004

32,060

9,370

22,690

March 2004

50,880

15,280

35,600

1 to 5 April 2004

3,120

970

2,150

6 to 30 April 2004

24,540

7,510

17,030

May 2004

29,570

8,650

20,920

June 2004

35,620

12,040

23,580

July 2004

34,970

13,380

21,590

August 2004

26,120

10,830

15,290

September 2004

33,330

14,740

18,600

October 2004

34,810

15,470

19,330

November 2004

41,540

19,330

22,210

December 2004

33,240

16,800

16,450

January 2005

29,050

13,490

15,560

February 2005

42,820

21,170

21,650

March 2005

66,560

35,010

31,550

1 to 5 April 2005

7,570

3,940

3,630

6 to 30 April 2005

37,260

19,540

17,710

May 2005

41,030

21,520

19,510

June 2005

64,150

34,360

29,800

July 2005

53,740

28,250

25,490

August 2005

51,570

28,320

23,250

September 2005

66,130

37,240

28,890

October 2005

52,740

29,590

23,150

November 2005

59,790

32,830

26,950

December 2005

46,350

26,960

19,390

January 2006

70,890

40,780

30,120

February 2006

48,190

28,370

19,830

March 2006

63,740

37,140

26,600

1 to 5 April 2006

6,810

3,740

3,070

Notes:
1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10.
2. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
3. April figures are shown as part months because the data cover financial years.
Source:
100 per cent sample at 17 June 2006 from the national insurance recording system (NIRS).

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