HC Deb 05 February 1990 vol 166 cc529-31W
Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give details of the research on which his Department bases its estimate that 50,000 people might be entitled to the proposed disability employment credit, and that the gross cost of the new benefit would be some £80 million.

Mr. Scott

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Moray (Mrs. Ewing) on 26 January at column908.

Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the guidelines which will be issued to medical staff assessing the capacity for work of claimants under the proposed disability employment credit system.

Mr. Scott

We propose that entitlement to a disability employment credit will be subject to periodic medical evidence of partial capacity for work. We are considering the precise way in which the scheme will operate.

Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if his proposals for a disability employment credit will benefit people who are able to work only two or three days a week.

Mr. Scott

Our proposals for a disability employment credit envisage that the benefit will be available to disabled people who are able to work only part time or who may not be able to work at full capacity. We are considering the precise way in which the scheme will operate.