§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if recipients of Severe Disablement Allowance will be compelled to attend work-focused job interviews through the Single Gateway to Work. [66245]
§ Angela EagleThrough the Single Work-Focused Gateway we want to offer help to the widest range of people possible—no one should be denied the offer of help and assistance.
402WAttendance at a Personal Adviser interview will be a condition of receiving benefits for claimants of working age who are out of work including those claiming Severe Disablement Allowance. However, this requirement may be waived or deferred in appropriate cases.
§ Ms BlearsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the responses to the consultation document on disability benefits. [66708]
§ Mr. BayleyConsultation on our proposals for the reform of benefits for disabled people ended on 8 January and 342 responses have been received. Just over half came from organisations representing disabled people, at both national and local level, from local authorities, and from the insurance industry. Most of the remaining responses came from individuals. Nearly 50 hon. Members submitted responses, many from their constituents. The All Party Disablement Group also submitted a response. We thank hon. Members and all those who took the time and trouble to respond to the consultation document and can assure them that we are studying the responses carefully.
A list of the organisations who responded has been placed in the Library. Copies of the list and copies of specific responses are available, excluding those that requested confidentiality, on request from the Disability Benefits Consultation Team, Department of Social Security, 6th Floor, The Adelphi, 1–11 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HT.