§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if sick and disabled people claiming incapacity benefit who make themselves available to work within the welfare-to-work scheme will be automatically switched from incapacity benefit to Jobseeker's allowance. [15742]
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§ Mr. DenhamThe Government believe that work is the best form of welfare for people of working age. For too long, disabled people have been defined by their disabilities rather than their abilities, their incapacity rather than their capacity. We therefore wish to develop ways to give sick and disabled people the advice, help and support they need to achieve their aspirations and to move towards financial independence, as part of an overall aim of social inclusion. Up to £195 million, set aside from the Windfall Tax, will be used to test a range of options to find out what are the most effective ways to help people with disabilities and long-term health problems to move into work, to encourage employers both to employ and retain disabled people and to avoid people becoming dependent on long-term incapacity benefits in the first place. In parallel with the welfare to work proposals for sick and disabled people, we are also considering what changes might be made to the benefit system to improve work incentives and reduce disincentives.