§ Mr. George OsborneTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend, of 1 December,Official Report, column 14W], what plans he has to invite (a) private companies and (b) voluntary organisations to pilot incapacity benefit programmes. [144602]
§ Maria EaglePlans for the Incapacity Benefit Reforms pilots have already been put in place and the first three began operations on 27 October; planning for the next four pilot areas is well-advanced and operations will commence in April 2004. The pilots are managed and run by Jobcentre Plus. From January 2004 one key element of the reforms, the condition management programmes, will be delivered in collaboration with NHS Primary Care Trusts (local health boards, in Wales). In some pilot areas the NHS may decide to contract with local providers from the private/voluntary sector in order to meet service demands.
1098WThe New Deal for Disabled People continues to support people on incapacity benefits into employment with a national network of Job Brokers. Organisations offering Job Broker services come from the public, private and voluntary sectors.