§ Mr. Norman HoggTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what advice he has given to local offices of his Department concerning the payment of invalidity 285W benefit to claimants who are local authority councillors and who may be in receipt of councillors' allowances; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardSince 11 May 1987, local authority councillors have been able to receive invalidity benefit in full where their entitlement to local government attendance allowance does not exceed the therapeutic earnings limit (currently £35 a week) for invalidity benefit; and, where the limit is exceeded, invalidity benefit is abated only by the amount of the excess. These arrangements, which were introduced in 1987 on an ex-gratia basis, were formalised in schedule 8 to the Social Security Act 1989. Instructions were issued to offices putting these arrangements into effect.