§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary State for Social Services to what extent the needs of the disabled have been taken into account in the social security reviews, especially in relation to single payments for those in receipt of supplementary benefit.
§ Mr. NewtonBenefits specifically for sick and disabled people were not included in the social security review, the outcome of which was published yesterday in a Green Paper, "Reform of Social Security", (Cmnds. 9517–9519). The Green Paper, however, makes it clear that the Government's objective in this field, as in others, is to move towards a more coherent system. Useful progress has already been made by such measures as the ending of the invalidity trap and the introduction of severe disablement allowance, and we have set in hand a major new survey to obtain up-to-date information about the extent and effects of disablement. The results of this survey will enable these benefits to be reviewed in their turn.
Meanwhile, the importance the Government attach to special needs of disabled people is reflected in the Green Paper proposals relating to other benefits. The structure of the proposed new income support scheme includes a special premium for long-term sick and disabled people, which will also be reflected in the new simpler housing benefit arrangements. A more generous disregard of earnings will also be applied in the new income support scheme.