§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made as to the proportion of those currently receiving disability living allowance who would be eligible for employment options under the New Deal programmes. [19466]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Government believe that work is the best form of welfare for people of working age, and we are introducing New Deal programmes to help into work the young unemployed; the long-term unemployed; and lone parents. Those Disability Living Allowance recipients who are also receiving Jobseeker's Allowance will have access to the New Deal programmes for the young unemployed and the long-term unemployed, which will both include opportunities for subsidised employment; and Disability 141W Living Allowance recipients bringing up children on their own will be able to participate in the New Deal for Lone Parents.
Under our New Deal for people with a disability or long-term illness, we have set aside up to £195 million to finance a range of options aimed at helping participants to move into or stay in work. As a first stage we are this week initiating the bidding process under which we will fund a number of innovative schemes. We also plan to introduce personal advisers to help people overcome barriers to work, initially on a modest scale. These initiatives will inform decisions about how best to offer help to all those sick and disabled people who need it. Under this programme Disability Living Allowance recipients who are not in a job would be offered help to move into work; and where necessary those who already had jobs would be offered help to stay in work.
§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has for the future of attendance allowance benefits. [17876]
§ Mr. DenhamWe are committed to creating a modern Social Security system which effectively tackles poverty and welfare dependency, and which provides help where it is most needed. As a first step we are undertaking a comprehensive review of the Department's expenditure. The review is wide-ranging and includes consideration of the complex range of benefits paid to people who are disabled or have health problems. We want to end the exclusion of disabled people; to empower them to play a full part in society, and to develop an approach which focuses on people's abilities and their capacities instead of their disabilities and incapacity.
§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement as to the planned date of publication of the report on the review of the disability living allowance. [17651]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 25 November 1997]: We are committed to creating a modern Social Security system which effectively tackles poverty and welfare dependency, and which provides help where it is most needed. As a first step we are undertaking a comprehensive review of the Department's expenditure. The review is wide-ranging and includes consideration of the complex range of benefits paid to people who are disabled or have health problems. We want to end the exclusion of disabled people; to empower them to play a full part in society, and to develop an approach which focuses on people's abilities and their capacities instead of their disabilities and incapacity.