§ 27. Mr. RuffleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her policy towards reducing dependency on income-related benefits; and if she will make a statement. [38506]
§ Mr. FieldIncome-related benefits will continue to offer a mechanism for getting resources to the most needy. As our plans for New Deals for people of working age, measures to make work pay, lifelong learning and pension reform take hold, people will have new opportunities to provide for themselves. Over time this will reduce the need for widespread reliance on income-related benefits.