§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the net annual cost of implementing a national disability income structure in two parts as proposed to him by the Disablement Income Group.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe Disablement Income Group proposes an income maintenance benefit and an extra expenses allowance—or allowances—for all disabled people. We introduced in November 1975 the new non-contributory invalidity pension for men and single women. This will be extended to married women incapable of doing their housework in November of this year. Our new pension scheme will provide an earnings-related element as part of invalidity benefit. The net cost of further development of income maintenance benefits, and of further extra expenses allowances, additional to attendance allowance and mobility allowance, would depend on their precise details.