§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to upgrade severe disablement allowance to the level of invalidity benefit.
§ Mr. ScottYesterday, regulations were laid before the House, introducing age-related additions to severe disablement allowance with effect from 3 December 1990. We estimate that 245,000 people will have their severe disablement allowance increased at a net cost of £50 million in a full year. We have no current plans to increase the rate of the allowance to that of invalidity benefit.