IB claims up by 11,000 from the previous quarter

The number of people claiming Incapacity Benefit (IB) in August 2002 increased by 11,000 to 2,380,000 from the previous quarter ' 1.7% higher than the same point a year earlier.

Findings from the Department of Work and Pensions also revealed there were 1,510,000 IB beneficiaries in the same period ' a decrease of nearly 2,000 from the previous quarter.