§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the recognition of therapeutic work was withdrawn from the benefits system; and how many claimants had established an entitlement to earnings from therapeutic work at that point. [22054]
§ Mr. DenhamUnder current legislation Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance recipients are permitted to undertake work of a therapeutic nature. It is estimated that one per cent. of Incapacity Benefit recipients undertake paid work on the grounds that it is therapeutic.
Source: Lonsdale, S, Lessof C and Ferris, G (1993) "Invalidity Benefit; a survey of recipients", London: HMSO.
This survey found that two 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.