Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Social Security Benefits Tribunal Hearing: Waiting Times

Tuesday 22 November 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Average waiting time for benefits appeals in Northamptonshire was 46 weeks between April and June 2022
  • Average waiting time for benefits appeals in England was 28 weeks between April and June 2022
  • Minister commissioned officials to report on problems affecting Northamptonshire area within four to six weeks

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Philip Hollobone Con
Justice & Courts Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP asked about waiting times for social security benefits tribunal hearings in Northamptonshire and England, noting a previous inquiry three years ago.

Question

What is the average waiting time for a social security benefits tribunal hearing in (a) Northamptonshire and (b) England?

Answer from Mike Freer

Between April and June 2022, the average waiting time for benefits appeals in Northamptonshire was 46 weeks. In England it was 28 weeks. Waiting times can fluctuate due to a number of factors, including volumes of benefit decisions made locally, the complexity of the case, the availability of panel members and venue capacity.

Answered
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Q2 Philip Hollobone Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP noted previous figures from three years ago showing waiting times of 21 weeks for Northamptonshire and 33 weeks across England, expressing concern about deterioration in Northamptonshire despite improvements nationally.

Question

When I asked the same question three years ago, the figures were 21 weeks for Northamptonshire and 33 weeks across England. While there has been improvement across the country as a whole, clearly things are going backwards quite severely in Northamptonshire. Does the Minister share my concern that this is clearly an unacceptable situation, and will he outline plans to tackle it?

Answer from Mike Freer

My hon. Friend is spot on: it is not acceptable that his area is going backwards. I have commissioned officials to report in detail on the exact problems affecting his area, and I will report to him in the next four to six weeks.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans or commitments were not provided; only a timeline for reporting was given.

How: Commissioning Officials

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