§ 1. Mr. StevensTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have received disability benefit in the present financial year; and how many received it in 1978–79.
§ The Minister for Social Security (Mr. Nicholas Scott)Since 1978–79 there have been large increases in the numbers of people receiving benefits because of long-term sickness or disability. For example, the numbers receiving invalidity benefit have increased by 88 per cent. to 1.1 million; attendance allowance by 186 per cent. to 760,000; and mobility allowance by 458 per cent. to 530,000. I shall, with permission, circulate full details in the Official Report.
§ Mr. StevensI am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply. It shows the Government's continuing commitment to helping those with disabilities. I am sure that it will be welcomed not only by disabled people, but by all members of the community. Will my hon. Friend comment on the expenditure required in real terms in the present year compared with that in 1978–79?
§ Mr. ScottThis year expenditure will amount to some £7.3 billion, which represents a £3.5 billion real terms increase over the 1978–79 figure.
§ Mr. Simon HughesIs the Minister aware that there are quite a number of people who are registered as disabled, yet who do not qualify as disabled for the purpose of housing benefit? Does he have any idea of the numbers involved? Does he have any proposals to remedy this, and to ensure that those who qualify receive their benefit more quickly than is sometimes the case?
§ Mr. ScottWe are always anxious to ensure that benefits are paid speedily once people have qualified for them. I shall look into the hon. Gentleman's point about housing benefit.
§ Mr. MarlowDoes my hon. Friend agree with me that, while we can take pride in the fact that, as a party and a Government, we have been far more generous—quite rightly so—to the disabled than the Labour party, it is also fair to point out that, at this important Question Time, there are only four Labour Back Benchers in the Chamber?
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisWhile everyone knows that more claimants means higher costs, how many disablement benefits have not increased in real value since 1979? How many disabled people lost free prescriptions and free school meals last April? How many are on transitional protection and will thus have no increase in their benefits this April? Will their standard of living not, therefore, slump as rising prices eat further into this so-called protection? Again, how many disabled people have had their housing benefit cut?
§ Mr. ScottI can understand the hon. Gentleman clutching at straws as he tries to protect the Labour Government's record. Of the £3.5 billion extra money in real terms which this Government are spending on benefits for the long-term sick and disabled, some £3 billion is because of the wider scope of those benefits—more people are applying for them—and £½ billion is because of increases in real terms in the level of benefits.
§ Following is the information:
| Estimated average numbers of weekly benefit payments at any one time | ||
| Numbers | ||
| Benefit | 1978–79 | 1988–89 |
| Invalidity Benefit | 600,000 | 1,130,000 |
| Industrial Injury Disablement Benefit | 210,000 | 210,000 |
| War Disablement Pension | 291,000 | 195,000 |
| Attendance Allowance | 265,000 | 760,000 |
| Invalid Care Allowance | 6,000 | 100,000 |
| NCIP/SDA | 150,000 | 265,000 |
| Mobility Allowance | 95,000 | 530,000 |
| Income-related benefits | 355,000 | 450,000 |
| 1,972,000 | 3,640,000 |
§ Notes: Beneficiaries may be receiving more than one benefit at any one time.