HC Deb 03 November 1998 vol 318 cc550-1W
Mr. Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects the replacement for the all-work test to come into operation. [58212]

Mr. Timms

We aim to introduce reforms to the test alongside national roll-out of the New Deal for Disabled People personal adviser service, which is being considered for April 2000. Different approaches are likely to be trailled before then as part of the development of the enhanced test.

Mr. Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consultation documents he proposes to publish on the test he intends to use to replace the all-work test. [58129]

Mr. Timms

In our consultation document "A new contract for welfare: Support for Disabled People", we set out our plans to reform the All-Work Test so that it provides positive information about what people can do, as well as assessing what they cannot do. We have no plans to change the way in which the test determines entitlement to benefit. "Support for Disabled People" makes clear our intention to work with disability organisations and to consult them as we take forward work on the enhancements to be made to the test. We do not envisage a further formal consultation document on these changes.

Mr. Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of people currently drawing benefit who will move into work as a result of the new test which will replace the all-work test for each of the first five years after the introduction of the new test. [58125]

Mr. Timms

The All-Work Test will continue as now to assess the level of an individual's incapacity, to determine entitlement to incapacity benefits. The intention in reforming the test is to ensure that it also produces positive information about the person's functional capacities. This information will feed into a wider assessment of employability by a personal adviser, who will help people with long term illness and disability to plan a return to work. No assumptions have been made about the numbers who will leave incapacity benefits as a result of these initiatives.