HC Deb 28 February 1994 vol 238 cc635-6
3. Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received as to the impact of reductions of invalidity benefit on family incomes.

The Minister for Social Security and Disabled People (Mr. Nicholas Scott)

We have received a number of representations about our proposals to replace sickness and invalidity benefits with incapacity benefit from April 1995.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

Is not it true that, by the end of next year, the Government will be on course for saving £6 million in west Cumberland alone by the switch from invalidity benefit to incapacity benefit? What measure of the effect on the economy has been made by the Government?

Mr. Scott

In essence, the new arrangements are designed to produce a system to meet the needs of those who are incapable of work because of disability or long-term sickness and that is affordable and sensible, and sensitive to the needs of those who really need help.

Mr. Brandreth

Does my right hon. Friend share the frustration of a constituent of mine who is an invalid on invalidity benefit and who read in The Daily Telegraph today about someone who is also on invalidity benefit but is playing a game of squash three times a week and about someone else on invalidity benefit who plays two rounds of golf a week? Does my right hon. Friend share my concern that the legitimate use of invalidity benefit is still being abused and needs to be examined and that we need not be frightened to acknowledge that fact?

Mr. Scott

I am certain that since invalidity benefit was introduced, the conditions for being able to get it have been altered and made increasingly flexible. I believe that, with incapacity benefit, we are restoring the original intention of invalidity benefit. We are ensuring that general practitioners are not put under pressure to passport people on to this benefit and that there is an objective medical test of those who should receive it.

Dr. Godman

It is the Government, in the shape of the Department of Social Security, who are abusing the invalidity benefit system. Will the Department reconsider its decision not to pay invalidity benefit to women aged between 60 and 65? Only this morning, I received a letter from a woman who will lose almost £60 because of this harsh, rotten decision. Will the Department reconsider?

Mr. Scott

If the hon. Gentleman will write to me about the particular case he will, as ever, receive an appropriate answer.