§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to ensure that no recipient of incapacity benefit suffers a reduction of net weekly income due to withdrawal of income support and related benefits; what assessment he has made of the number of individuals whose net weekly income is reduced in this way; and if he will make a statement. [184745]
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§ Maria EagleWe have made no estimates of the number of incapacity benefit (IB) recipients who have experienced a reduction of net weekly income due to withdrawal of income support and related benefits.
In most cases, people will be better off receiving incapacity benefit than an income-related benefit. In addition, as the position of those who lose entitlement to income support is no different from that of any other person whose income is above income support levels, it would be unfair to introduce special arrangements for people in these circumstances.