§ Mr. GouldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what representations he has received on the treatment in the Income Support Regulations of those recovering from mental illness and seeking work;
(2) what assessment he has made of the effect the disregard provisions of the Income Support Regulations will have on the ability of industrial therapy units to secure employment for their attenders; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he will make a statement on the effect of the disregard provisions of the Income Support Regulations on people recovering from mental illness seeking work.
§ Mr. ScottEvidence was received from many organisations representing the mentally and physically handicapped during the consultation period for the reform of the income-related benefits, including the British Institute of Industrial Therapy and MIND. Most organisations welcomed the new levels of disregards. People who are returning to part-time work after a mental illness or who attend an industrial therapy unit are able to earn £5 or £15 a week without it affecting their benefit. The higher disregard is available to those people who are receiving the disability premium, lone parents or members of couples who have been in receipt of benefit continuously for two years. We have undertaken to monitor these changes and to review their effect as necessary.