§ 29. Fiona MactaggartTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the measures in his welfare reform programme which will assist disabled people to take up work. [93780]
§ Angela EagleTogether with my hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment we have introduced New Deal for Disabled People to help disabled people move into or remain in work; piloting a voluntary personal adviser service in 12 areas throughout Great Britain, for claimants of incapacity benefits; and funding 24 innovative schemes to test different approaches.
The first four ONE pilots were successfully launched in June and a further 8 pilots will start in November. In these pilot areas, where appropriate, people of working age who claim benefits will be given a Personal Adviser who will be able to access information and the opportunities for employment, training and rehabilitation, and will help them plan a route back to independence.
In October 1998, we introduced a new 52-week linking rule for incapacity benefits and abolished the 16 hour limit for voluntary work. We have increased the therapeutic earnings limit from April 99 and are piloting further measures to help disabled people who wish to work. We are replacing the All Work Test with the Personal Capability Assessment which will focus on what people can do, not just their incapacities. From October 1999 the 725W Disabled Persons' Tax Credit will replace Disability Working Allowance which will ensure that disabled people are better off in work than out of work.