§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he proposes to take to further investigate the link between low income and chronic bad health highlighted in DSS Research Report No. 95; and if he will make a statement. [108116]
§ Mr. BayleyDSS Research Report 95 was a baseline report from the Earnings Top-up (ETU) evaluation. This provided results of the first surveys of low-paid workers, medium-term unemployed people and employers conducted in 1996, before the introduction of ETU. Forthcoming reports from the ETU evaluation will also include analysis of self-reported health and disability.
Much research commissioned by the Department gathers information on self-reported health and disability for low income groups. In addition to the ETU evaluation, the Programme of Research into Low Income Families (PRILIF) and the Survey of Families with Children gathers information on health for families with children. The Jobseeker's Allowance Evaluation has information on the relationship between unemployment-related benefit receipt and poor health. The ONE evaluation will collect information on self-reported health and disability among clients of working age, and the impact of this on their ability to work. The Department also commissions research on clients receiving disability benefits.
750WWe know that low income and poor health are often linked, and that they can act together to exclude many people from the benefits of a prospering nation. We are determined to overcome these problems. That is why we set out our plans to improve health and reduce the health gap in the White Paper "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation" (Cm 4386) and the accompanying "Reducing Health Inequalities: An action report" in July 1999, as well as in our strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion, "Opportunity for all" (September 1999, Cm 4445).