§ Mr. LevittTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans his Department has to assist disabled children. [93746]
§ Mr. BayleyWe are committed to maintaining Disability Living Allowance, the main disability benefit for children, as a national, universal benefit. We are making specific improvements to help children with severe disabilities: a clause within the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill, which is currently before Parliament, extends entitlement to the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance to 3 and 4 year olds. This will help an additional 8,000 children from April 2001.
From April 2001 the new Disability Income Guarantee will provide extra help within Income Support premiums for families with severely disabled children getting the highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance.