HC Deb 11 January 1999 vol 323 cc61-2W
17. Angela Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the impact of proposed changes in disability benefits on carers. [63205]

Mr. Bayley

Carers wishing to combine their caring role with employment will benefit from the new emphasis on helping those who can work to do so, whilst providing support for those who cannot. Carers in the same family as the disabled person for whom they provide care should also benefit from some of the proposed changes to the family income. The proposed changes to the contribution conditions for Incapacity Benefit will include specific protection for carers in receipt of Invalid Care Allowance.

28. Mr. Levitt

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions he has had with disability organisations on his plans for disability benefit reform. [63217]

Mr. Bayley

My hon. Friend, the Minister of State, discussed the proposals for Disability Benefit reform with representative organisations at regular meetings of the Disability Benefits Forum, set up following the Welfare Reform Green Paper, "New Ambitions for our Country".

We have also discussed Disability Benefit reform more generally with a wide range of organisations representing disabled people and their carers.

31. Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his plans to ensure that expenditure on benefits for the disabled is reduced by £750 million. [63220]

Mr. Bayley

Our proposals for reforming benefits for disabled people are not designed to make savings in expenditure but are based on the key principle of work for

Mr. Timms

From next April, we will introduce a new minimum income guarantee for pensioners of at least £75 per week for single people, and £116.60 for couples. In the Pensions Green Paper, we announced that, starting from April, we plan to implement changes to the way we deliver the minimum income guarantee so that the system can more accurately pinpoint those pensioners who are likely to be entitled to it.