§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what percentage of people in receipt of(a) incapacity benefit, (b) severe disablement allowance and (c) income support with a disability premium are undertaking therapeutic work as provided for in regulation 17(1)(a)(i) of the Social security (Incapacity for Work)(General) Regulations 1995 [154555]
§ Mr. BayleyThe information is not available. However, research by the Department has estimated that about 1 to 2 per cent. of people receiving incapacity benefits are engaged in therapeutic work.
We are keen to encourage incapacity benefits recipients to undertake some form of paid work which may ease their way back into full-time work. In my written answer to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South (Miss Begg) on 22 March 2001, Official Report, columns 340–41W, we announced that from April 2002 we are introducing new, fairer and more flexible work rules to help people receiving incapacity benefits to get back into work.