§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will list the specific differences between the Benefits Integrity Project and its replacement. [HL367]
§ Baroness Hollis of HeighamWe plan to cancel the Benefit Integrity Project and introduce a new review process which will be more sensitive to people's circumstances. The new process will be fairer and more even-handed, because unlike the Benefit Integrity Project, it will apply to all rates of benefit, providing more opportunity for awards to increase as well as decrease in line with entitlement. We aim to introduce this by April 1999. The process will form part of a new modernised system of routine administration of Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance which will help to ensure that claims are right at the outset and remain right. The new procedures are being developed in close consultation with members of the Disability Benefits Forum.