§ 19. Ms. QuinTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if there has been any increase in the numbers of his Department's staff involved in processing applications for invalid care allowance as a result of the European Court judgment against the United Kingdom which extended the eligibility of invalid care allowance to married women; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottThe number of staff processing invalid care allowance claims was increased when the allowance was extended to married women.
In mid-1986, 34 staff were employed in the invalid care allowance unit but during the second half of that year numbers were built up rapidly so that throughout 1987 400 staff or more were in post. The new permanent complement for the unit is 304 posts.
§ 30. Ms. ArmstrongTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what support he proposes will be available for those caring for sick dependants at home following the passage of the Social Security Bill.
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§ Mr. ScottThe existing provisions for carers within the social security system are not affected by passage of the current Bill. Invalid care allowance, supplementary benefit (income support from April 1988), and home responsibilities protection will continue to be available as at present to those who satisfy the qualifying rules.