§ Lord Graham of Edmontonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans there are to set up a forum to discuss sickness and disability benefits, as outlined in the Green Paper, New Ambitions for our country: a new contract for welfare. [HL2303]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Baroness Hollis of Heigham)The Government are pleased to announce the first meeting of the Disability Benefits Forum took place today. This is an important step forward to ensure a proper dialogue between government and disability organisations.
The terms of reference of the forum are: To consider possible options for changes in the gateways to benefits for long-term sick and disabled people and carers, and how to ensure that help is directed to those who need it.
The forum will bring together representatives of disabled people and experts in disability issues to conduct an open and detailed dialogue with the Government.
The members of the forum are:
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Peter Adeane: National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux David Behan: Local Government Association Ian Bruce: Royal National Institute for the Blind and co-chair of the Disability Benefits Consortium Jane Campbell: National Centre for Independent Living Alison Cobb: MIND Nicole Davoud: Independent disability consultant Marilyn Howard: Independent disability consultant Professor R. Grahame: Chairman of the Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board Jill Harrison: Carers National Association Rachel Hurst: Rights Now! Brian Lamb: SCOPE Margaret Lavery: RADAR Carol Lee: People First Colin Low: National Federation of the Blind of the UK
Brian McGinnis: MENCAP Dr. Lotte Newman: Former President of the Royal College of General Practitioners Lorna Reith: Disability Alliance Roy Sainsbury: University of York—Social Policy Research Unit James Strachan: RNID Pauline Thompson: Disablement Income Group Richard Wood: British Council of Organisations of Disabled People and co-chair of the Disability Benefits Forum