§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what specific measures Her Majesty's Government are taking to make sure that existing disabled claimants are protected against any reduction in their benefits after the changes in social security benefits of April in the current year.
§ Mr. Scott[holding answer 14 January 1988]: At the point of change, existing disabled claimants will receive protection in real terms for high domestic assistance additions paid under the existing scheme and protection in cash terms for all other shortfalls arising from changes in the rules. All real terms protection will be subject to an eight weeks linking rule if entitlement to income support is broken, as will most protection in cash terms of £10 or more. The rules governing the reduction of this protection are provided for in regulations 12 to 15 of the Income Support (Transitional) Regulations 1987.