§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will review the rates of(a) earnings disregard for Income Support and (b) earnings disregard for Housing Benefit. [96899]
§ Mr. BayleyWe review the rates of earnings disregards in all the income-related benefits (including Income Support and Housing Benefit) as part of the annual uprating process.
We believe that work is the best form of welfare, but that support should be there for those people who cannot work. The disregards are designed to achieve a balance between providing an encouragement to part-time work without creating disincentives to full-time work and independence. The Welfare to Work objectives are to create the right conditions for everyone of working age, who is able to work, to move into full-time paid work; supported as appropriate by Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, and the new Working Families and Disabled Persons Tax Credits.