HC Deb 13 July 1982 vol 27 cc379-80W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if his analysis of the effects of changing from a 13-week to an eight-week linking rule for sickness and unemployment benefits has been completed; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Rossi

During the passage of the Social Security (No. 2) Act 1980, which amended the rules relating to linking, concern was expressed about the possible adverse effect on claimants suffering from recurrent long-term illnesses. The Government therefore undertook to monitor the effect of the change and to report by the end of 1983.

The first statistics covering a complete year since the introduction of the shorter linking rule will not be available until the middle of 1983. In carrying out our monitoring, we shall have particular regard to the position of claimants suffering from recurrent illnesses in assessing the effect of the change.

There is no indication from the correspondence received in the Department that the shorter linking rule is having an unduly harsh effect on any group of claimants. Few individual cases have been brought to our attention.