§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many disabled people will be affected by removing the right to claim disability living allowance for those between 65 and 66 years of age; and what is the total amount of money that will be saved in the first year. [7747]
§ Mr. DenhamWe are committed to a review with the objective of reducing poverty and welfare dependency and promoting work incentives. Provision for disabled people will form part of that review.
From 6 October 1997, disabled people aged 65 will no longer be able to claim disability living allowance. This will affect an estimated 10,000 disabled people annually. Savings in the first full year have been assessed at around £50,000 in respect of administrative costs and £20 million in programme expenditure. Disabled people aged 65 and over will still be able to claim attendance allowance.