§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the conclusions of the Department's benefit by benefit review will be taken into account in(a) the Department's study of public expenditure and (b) the Treasury's review of tax and benefits. [17037]
§ Mr. FieldThe Government are committed to a far-reaching overhaul of the Social Security system that will modernise the welfare state and prepare it to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury announced the Comprehensive Spending Review being co-ordinated across Government on 11 June 1997, Official Report, column 1143–57. The Department of Social Security's review will be based on our clear objectives of promoting work incentives, reducing poverty and welfare dependency and strengthening community and family life. It will also consider how best the system can be reformed to contribute to the achievement of Government objectives including the need for restraint in public expenditure. The Review is expected to take about a year to complete.
The review of tax and benefits, headed by Martin Taylor, Chief Executive of Barclays Bank, involves officials from the Treasury, the Department for Education and Employment, the Inland Revenue and the DSS. There has been close liaison between the tax benefit review and the DSS Comprehensive Spending Review.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which Minister is responsible for co-ordinating her Department's benefit by benefit review; and when, and by what means, she expects its conclusions to be reported to the House. [18810]
§ Mr. FieldI refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to him on 20 November 1997,Official Report, columns 406–07.