§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) pursuant to her answer of 10 November 1997,Official Report, column 456, what assessment she has made of partial capacity benefit as a means of assisting disabled people to gain employment; [16359]
(2) pursuant to her oral Answer to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) of 17 November 1997, Official Report, columns 2–3, what assessment her Department has made of the role which a partial capacity benefit could play in the New Deal for disabled people. [17540]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Government's view is that work is the best form of welfare. Many people with disabilities or long-term health problems want to do some work and the aim of the Welfare to Work programme for sick and disabled people is to allow them to do so. We wish to develop ways to give sick and disabled people the advice, help and support they need to achieve their aspirations and to move towards financial independence.
As part of our welfare to work proposals, which will improve opportunities for sick and disabled people, we are also considering what changes might be made to the benefit system to improve work incentives and reduce disincentives.