§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if, pursuant to the answer of 6 May,Official Report, columns 628–44, to the hon. Member for Epping Forest (Sir J. Biggs-Davison) he will list those objectives in the field of policy for disabled persons and their carers which Her Majesty's Government have not fulfilled.
§ Mr. ScottGovernment objectives are to respond to the needs of disabled people and to encourage their increased independence and integration into society. The Government aim to improve the targeting of assistance to them in order to enable this to happen. Since 1979, we have increased spending on benefits for the long-term sick and disabled by over 80 per cent. in real terms, or by about £3 billion. This year we are spending an extra £60 million on 270,000 sick and disabled claimants through the disability premium, and a further £8 million for claimants eligible for the severe disability premium. We have also set aside £5 million for the Independent Living Fund to provide help to severely disabled people which will enable them to live246W independently in the community. We recognise the importance of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986. The Act is being progressively implemented in a properly planned way, in co-operation with the service providers.