§ 35. Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further consideration he has given to the representations he has received concerning the effect of the fixed £2,500 capital cut off in relation to supplementary benefits; and whether he will consider easing this cut off in respect of disabled people.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have received about half a dozen written representations so far in response to the report by the supplementary benefit policy inspectorate on the effects of the new capital rule.
These are concerned with the level of the capital disregard, the need for better communications, and the treatment of life assurance policies and vaccine damage payments. A number of hon. Members have also written raising similar points on behalf of constituents. As my right hon. Friend has made clear in announcing publication of the report to the House on 6 April—[Vol. 21, c. 302]—we shall be keeping the operation of the rule under review and we continue to welcome any observations that may be made on the report. If the hon. Member has a particular circumstance in mind where the rule seems to be operating harshly, I shall be glad to look into it.