§ Ms KellyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are currently in receipt of incapacity benefit in the Bolton, West constituency. [9685]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Government strongly believe that for people of working age, work is the best form of welfare. We are committed to giving opportunities to sick and disabled who have some capacity for work to do so. Some £200 million from the windfall levy has been set aside to fund this important programme of work and other measures.
The information is not available in the format requested.
As at 28 February 1997, the number of people in receipt of incapacity benefit in the Benefits Agency Bolton, West district was 13,7601.
Notes:
1. This figure is based on the 5 per cent. sample of the pensions strategy computer system—INCAP—and does not include some clerical cases which are not held on the system.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 9 July,Official Report, column 519, on incapacity benefit, if the sum of £200 million will cover measures unrelated to helping sick and disabled people enter the work force. [11166]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Government are committed to increasing opportunities to work for people who are disabled or who have long-term health problems. Some £200 million from the windfall levy has been set aside to fund this important programme and other measures. The University for Industry will receive £5 million as start-up funding from the "other measures" element of the package. We are currently considering how to help most effectively those sick and disabled people who want training or work, and will make announcements in due course.