Written question asked by Lord Wills (Labour) on Monday, 1 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 November 2004. It was answered by Maria Eagle (Labour) on Thursday, 18 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate he has made of the number of (a) males and (b) females aged (i) 18 to 29, (ii) 30 to 39, (iii) 40 to 49 and (iv) 50 to 59 claiming incapacity benefit; and what estimate he has made of the number of males aged 60 to 65 claiming incapacity benefit. - Including table.

Answer: Mr. Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent estimate he has made of the number of (a) males and (b) females aged (i) 18 to 29, (ii) 30 to 39, (iii) 40 to 49 and (iv) 50 to 59 claiming incapacity benefit; and what estimate he has made of the number of males aged 60 to 65 claiming incapacity benefit. [196031] Maria Eagle: The information is in the table. Incapacity benefit (IB) and severe disablement allowance (SDA) claimants by age and gender, at May 2004 All Men Women All 2,708,700 1,590,200 1,118,600 Under 18 9,800 4,600 5,200 18 to 29 304,300 171,800 132,500 30 to 39 475,900 276,000 199,900 40 to 49 630,700 338,000 292,700 50 to 59 929,600 477,600 452,100 60 to 64 329,000 315,200 13,900 65 and over 29,400 7,100 22,300 Notes: 1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred. Totals may not sum due to rounding. 2. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample, and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation. 3. SDA has not been available to new claimants since April 2001. Source: IAD Information Centre, 5 per cent. sample

Secondary information