§ Gillian MerronTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to collect additional information about people's work-related capacities through the medical assessment process for incapacity benefits. [99518]
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§ Mr. BayleyRegulations have been laid today giving effect to provisions in the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 which will enable the All Work Test to play a more positive role in helping people claiming incapacity benefits to return to work.
The Social Security (Incapacity for Work) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1999 allow additional positive information about what people can do in spite of their illness or disability to be collected through the medical assessment process. A new "Capability Report" will be prepared by the doctor who assesses the person for benefit purposes, and sent to Personal Advisers to help them give advice and support to sick and disabled people who want to work. The benefit decision-maker will not see the Capability Report and it will have no effect on people's benefit entitlement.
These provisions will come into force from 13 December, to allow the new "Capability Report" to be piloted in the 12 ONE areas.
In addition, the regulations rename the All Work Test the Personal Capability Assessment from 3 April 2000.
These regulations do not change the entitlement criteria for benefits paid on the grounds of incapacity. People will continue to be assessed against a set of functional medical criteria. However, many disabled people who would meet the criteria for benefit are in work; and many more want to work and could do so with the right help and advice. ONE is starting to give people that help and the new Capability Report will make a constructive contribution to this.