§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his policy towards the recommendations of the "Disability Manifesto: An Agenda for the 1990s", a copy of which has been sent to him, which relate to his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottOur strategy on benefits for people with disabilities, was set out in "The Way Ahead"—Cm 917. The strategy provides a more comprehensive and coherent system of benefits for people with disabilities than ever before, laying firm foundations for the future. The changes set out in "The Way Ahead" concentrate new help where it is needed most—on people with moderate to severe disabilities who just fail to qualify for attendance allowance or mobility allowance, on those disabled from birth or in their early years who have lost the opportunity to earn and save, and on those who would like to work but are prevented by disincentives in the benefit system.
The cornerstone of the strategy is the introduction of two new benefits. Disability living allowance for people disabled under age 65, replaces and extends the help currently available through attendance allowance and mobility allowance, bringing new help with extra costs to nearly 300,000 disabled people. Disability working allowance will offer around 50,000 disabled people who are capable of some work a new choice of earnings topped up by benefit. These two new benefits plus other important initiatives announced in "The Way Ahead" will bring extra help to an estimated 850,000 disabled people and their carers.