§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the impact of the benefits available to severely disabled people through the provisions of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999. [109568]
§ Mr. BayleyOur package of reforms to provision for sick and disabled people is intended to modernise the welfare system and to encourage those who are able to work to do so. Severely disabled people will benefit in particular from the provisions in the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999, which will allow those incapacitated under the age of 20, or 25 in certain circumstances, to qualify for Incapacity Benefit without having to meet the normal National Insurance contribution conditions.
In addition, the introduction of the new Disability Income Guarantee and the extension of the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance to three and four year old children will provide additional help for many severely disabled people who have the greatest needs.