§ Mr. Edward DaveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will review the eligibility criteria of the all work test, with particular reference to its application to people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome; and if she will make a statement. [3345]
§ Mr. DenhamWe are aware of concerns about the way incapacity benefit all work tests are applied to sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome. As part of the general review of social security provision, we will look at a number of eligibility issues, including those surrounding the all work test, and seek to ensure that the test provides a fair assessment of incapacity for benefit purposes.
§ Mr. DaveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will review the length of the transition period between a failed all work test and the subsequent withdrawal of incapacity benefit. [3346]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Government are committed to looking across the range of current social security provision to ensure that it meets our objectives for a modern welfare system to take us into the next century. A key priority will be to provide more support to enable people to make the transition from benefit into employment. In this context, we will look at what changes are necessary to ensure that the particular needs of people who have disabilities, or who have lost contact with the labour market through long-term sickness, are provided for.