§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures his Department plans to introduce to place a responsibility on claimants to report improvements in their medical condition which may affect benefit entitlement. [58572]
§ Mr. TimmsWe want to ensure that disabled people on Incapacity Benefit get the benefits to which they are properly entitled and that they receive the advice they need to help them achieve independence. Equally we want to reinforce the principle that the right to benefit is balanced by responsibilities. Currently many people, once they get Incapacity Benefit, have no further personal contact with their social security office, and often do not realise that changes in their medical condition may affect their benefit entitlement. We intend to make it clear in legislation that improvements are changes that should be reported and will explore ways of keeping in closer contact with claimants to ensure that the information held is up to date.