§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to introduce a disabled persons tax credit disregard in the assessment of means-tested social security benefits. [51989]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Disabled Persons Tax Credit will replace Disability Working Allowance from October 1999.
There is no disregard of payments of Disability Working Allowance when assessing eligibility for other income-related benefits. To do so would duplicate payments from public funds for the same purpose. There are no plans to change this policy.
§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if confirmation has been given to all successful organisations that bid to execute pilot projects under the New Deal for sick and disabled people. [51990]
§ Mr. DenhamMy right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Social Security, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Education and Employment announced the ten successful bidders for the first tranche of Innovative Schemes funded under the New Deal for Disabled People on 16 July. The schemes are as follows: Leonard Cheshire Workability; Centrica North West Project; Status Employment Ltd; Back to Work proposed by Libra Health Ltd; Manchester Mental Health in Employment Project proposed by Manchester TEC; 663W West of England Centre for Integrated Living; Disability Business Partnerships proposed by RNIB; Urban World proposed by Grimsby College; Integration for Opportunity—Jobs4All proposed by Thurso College; and Gateway Partnerships proposed by Disability Matters Ltd.