HC Deb 19 June 1995 vol 262 c85W
12. Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to assist disabled people. [27611]

Mr. Hague

Substantial help is given to disabled people through the social security system. Expenditure on disability living allowance, attendance allowance and disability working allowance for 1993–94 was more than £4.5 billion and estimated expenditure for 1994–95 is more than £5 billion. In excess of £530 million was spent on benefits for those caring for disabled people in 1994–95.

23. Mr. Nigel Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent discussions he has had with people with disabilities on the level of benefits. [27623]

Mr. Hague

No such discussions have taken place recently. Benefit levels are kept under review and we are confident that current policies are targeting available resources where they are most needed.

Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what new measures the Government are taking to help disabled people; and if he will make a statement. [27971]

Mr. Hague

The Government's Disability Discrimination Bill, currently being considered in another place, will do much to end discrimination against disabled people. The Bill will give disabled people new rights of non-discrimination in employment and access to goods and services as well as creating a National Disability Council to advise the Government on the elimination of discrimination. The Government have extended their proposals to protect people who have had a disability but since recovered; to set access standards for taxis; and to place extra duties on schools and colleges to have regard to their arrangements for disabled pupils and students. We also propose a power in the Bill to set accessibility standards for land-based public transport vehicles.