§ 26. Mr. SummersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to publicise the new disability benefits that come into effect later in the current year.
§ Mr. ScottWe are planning a carefully targeted and comprehensive publicity campaign for the two new benefits—disability living allowance and disability working allowance—with the help of disabled people and their94W organisations. The plans include a major national television campaign starting in early February, supported by more detailed advertisements in the national press. In addition we are writing more than 1 million letters to all existing beneficiaries of attendance allowance and mobility allowance to let them know about the existing benefit changes and how to claim extra help, if appropriate. We have commissioned a series of 12 programmes about the new benefits entitled "The Way Ahead", on the BBC select out-of-hours service. The programmes, which started on 21 January, are aimed primarily at advisers and carers of disabled people. We are also writing to health professionals such as doctors and nurses to let them know about the changes.