§ Mr. Ivan LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions he plans to have with relevant representative groups about the future of the industrial injuries scheme. [67200]
§ Mr. DarlingAs part of our wider programme of Welfare Reform, we have been examining the scope for modernisation of the Industrial Injuries scheme. The scheme provides no-fault compensation benefits for those injured at, or suffering a disease caused by work, and was designed over 50 years ago for a very different social and industrial climate.
The Government's aim is to provide better protection from the risks and consequences of occupational disablement for the workforce of the future. We have asked officials to explore with the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council, industry, trades unions and other key representative groups whether there are alternative replacement no-fault compensation arrangements which would meet those objectives.