asked Her Majesty's Government:

On the latest figures, how many people in the City of Manchester were (a) claiming incapacity benefit; and (b) have been claiming incapacity benefit for more than five years. [HL2673]

As at May 2007, there were 35,530 claimants of incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance in the Manchester City Council area. Of these, 20,580 people had been in receipt for five years or more.