§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled people are receiving assistance under the revised "Fares to Work" scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John GrantI am very pleased to be able to inform my hon. Friend that the Manpower Services Commission—MSC—which administers the Assistance with Fares to Work Scheme for Severely Disabled People, has informed me that the number of severely disabled people who have benefited under the revised 473W scheme which began on 5 July 1978 has increased almost three times—2.7—which is in line with the increase estimated by the MSC.
In the six months ended 31 December 1978, 280 applications for assistance were approved. This compares with 103 approvals in the corresponding period to December 1977.
The ratio of "Permanent"—those for an indefinite period—to "Temporary"—generally those from car owners whose car has broken down—applications is now 2:1 which has reversed the previous ratio of 1:2 under the "old" scheme.
The average weekly payment made under the revised scheme, is £9.38. This is taken over all the cases currently authorised for payment under the revised scheme including those transferred from the old scheme—369 cases.
A full review of the revised scheme will be carried out after 12 months operation.