§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of claimants of incapacity benefit are currently undertaking limited paid work on the grounds that the work is (i) voluntary and (ii) therapeutic. [15843]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyThe information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.
It is estimated that 1 per cent. of Incapacity Benefit recipients undertake paid work on the grounds that it is therapeutic.
Sources:Lonsdale, S., Lessof C. and Ferris, G. (1993) "Invalidity Benefit; a survey of recipients, London: HMSO". This survey found that 2 per cent. of Invalidity Benefit recipients had ever done therapeutic work and fewer still were doing it at the time of the interview. The 1995–96 Family Resources Survey shows that 1 per cent. of Incapacity Benefit recipients had done any paid work in the week before the interview. Information is not collected directly on use of the permitted work provisions.