§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans he has to reform the industrial injuries scheme in respect of self-employed workers; and if he will make a statement. [111589]
(2) what recent (a) consultations he has conducted and (b) representations he has received concerning reforms of the industrial injuries scheme with respect to self-employed workers; and if he will make a statement. [111590]
§ Mr. BayleyWe continue to see a case for reforming the industrial injuries scheme to reflect better the needs of today's labour market and to improve incentives for prevention of work-related accidents and diseases, and incentives for rehabilitation back into work. Initial discussions with key stakeholders last year have confirmed our belief that there is scope for reform. However, much work remains to be done to decide the best way forward. Against the background of the current major programme of reform to other parts of the Social Security system, the work cannot be completed quickly.
The basis of the current scheme is that Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit is payable to employed earners who suffer a loss of faculty through an industrial 352W accident or disease, and that those who undertake self-employment do so knowing that provision against industrial injury is their own responsibility.
We have not conducted further consultation, nor received recent representations, about reform of the industrial injuries scheme with respect to self-employed workers.