§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to change the rules relating to the payment of incapacity benefit for disabled lay members of employment tribunals. [129634]
§ Maria EagleAny incapacity benefit (IB) recipient can work for up to and including £20 a week for an unlimited period, or work for less than 16 hours a week and earn up to and including £67.50 per week for 26 weeks. The latter can be extended for another 26 weeks if a New Deal for Disabled People Job Broker, Jobcentre Plus Personal 1051W Adviser or Disability Employment Adviser agrees that progress is being made towards work of 16 or more hours a week.
In addition, a person receiving IB can work for one day a week as a panel member on appeal tribunals that specifically involve issues of disability, such as those dealing with disability living allowance or attendance allowance, without their benefit being affected. However, there are no current plans to introduce similar provisions for disabled lay members of employment tribunals who receive incapacity benefit.