HC Deb 08 May 1984 vol 59 c723
7. Mr. Nicholls

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the level of invalidity benefit for those disabled unemployed who have undertaken rehabilitation courses.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security (Mr. Tony Newton)

Invalidity benefit ceases when people start employment rehabilitation courses. Employment rehabilitation allowances are paid by the Manpower Services Commission to persons attending these courses.

Mr. Nicholls

Does my hon. Friend realise that, despite the generally held view that when a person finishes his rehabilitation course he can be reinstituted to long-term invalidity benefit, certain appeals tribunals are interpreting regulation 7(1)(a) of the 1983 requirement regulations to the effect that a person loses long-term invalidity benefit? Does my hon. Friend accept that it is a great blow to a person who, having finished his rehabilitation course, finds that he cannot work and, in consequence, has smaller means than before he began the course?

Mr. Newton

The point to remember about invalidity benefit is that the primary condition for receiving it is being incapable of work. From what my hon. Friend has said, I would guess that a tribunal found his constituent capable of work. I shall happily study the matter if my hon. Friend cares to write to me, but I cannot overturn the judgment of an appeals tribunal.

Mr. Alfred Morris

Is it not outrageous, with regard to the cut in invalidity benefit, that a Government who gave in a single day £1.5 billion in tax relief to the richest 5 per cent. of taxpayers should at the same time have cut the living standards of more than 600,000 long-term sick and disabled people? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the excuse given does not apply to large numbers of people who are below the tax threshold? When will the cut inflicted on them be restored?

Mr. Newton

First, a large number of those affected by the abatement of invalidity benefit will have it made good by supplementary benefit; that is to say, we take care of those least well off. Secondly, we have said time and again that the abatement will be restored when invalidity benefit is brought into taxation.