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Independent Tribunal Service
Mr. Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action is being taken to reduce the waiting times for appeals heard by the Independent Tribunal Service. [20746]
Mr. Field: The operation of the appeals system is a matter for the Independent Tribunal Service.
However, we are determined to reduce the current delays and complexity in the appeals system. The Social Security Bill, which paves the way for modernising the delivery of social security, including the handling of appeals, had its third reading in the House on
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10 December and is now continuing its passage through the House of Lords. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will assume responsibility for the administration of the appeals system. She will set and publish demanding targets for the administration of appeals and report on the results.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if recipients of disability living allowance who receive a questionnaire under the Benefits Integrity Programme are entitled to see a copy of their initial claim form; and what publicity his Department provides in respect of these arrangements. [20822]
Mr. Denham:
One of our key aims is to rebuild integrity in, and public support for, the Social Security system and the way in which public money is spent. We need to focus on those who are properly entitled to benefit. This is why we have set up the Benefit Integrity Project.
The administration of this programme is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 16 December 1997:
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Ms Buck:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total number of housing benefit claimants for the benefit areas covering (1) Regent's Park and (2) Kensington North; how many of the claimants are (a) local authority, (b) housing association and (c) private tenants; and if he will list the (i) highest, (ii) average, (iii) median and (iv) upper and lower quartile payment figures for (a) to (c). [20975]
Mr. Field:
The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.
The information relates to the London Boroughs of Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea.
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking whether recipients of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) who receive a questionnaire under the Benefits Integrity Programme are entitled to see a copy of their initial claim form; and what publicity his Department provides in respect of these arrangements.
The Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) was set up in response to the recent Benefit Review of DLA. Over the next two years, specially trained staff will make enquiries by postal questionnaire or home visit in over 400,000 cases to establish whether DLA is being paid correctly.
A copy of the original form will be sent to DLA recipients on request. We have had several useful meetings with organisations representing disabled people at which this provision was emphasised, as it was on the Does He Take Sugar? radio broadcast made by the Baroness Hollis of Heigham.
I hope that this is helpful.
| Local authority tenants | Private tenants (excluding housing association tenants) | Housing association tenants | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westminster | |||
| Recipients | 9,960 | 7,440 | 5,980 |
| Average housing benefit | £59.09 | £106.85 | £61.62 |
| Kensington and Chelsea | |||
| Recipients | 5,720 | 4,620 | 6,670 |
| Average housing benefit | £64.86 | £106.53 | £58.56 |
Source:
Housing Benefit Management Information System.
Notes:
1. Recipients may be a single person or a couple.
2. Westminster's figures are estimated based on actuals for November 1996.