§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimates he has made of the cost of making the disability living allowance mobility component available to children aged two and under. [109385]
§ Mr. BayleyThe mobility component of Disability Living Allowance is payable at two rates. The higher rate is payable to people who are unable or virtually unable to walk and the lower rate is paid to people who need guidance and supervision out of doors on unfamiliar routes.
Currently both components are payable to children from the age of five years. From April 2001, we are extending the higher rate of the mobility component to severely disabled children aged three and four years old in recognition of the fact that many children are able to walk reasonable distances unaided by the age of three years.
Estimating the cost of extending either component to children aged two and under would not produce a meaningful result. This is because all children of this age have limited walking ability and will require constant guidance and supervision whilst out of doors.