§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what criteria he will apply to determine whether incapacity benefit needs to be reviewed as part of the Pathway to Work scheme; and if he will make a statement. [162868]
§ Maria EagleThe Pathways to Work pilots are intended to provide much greater levels of encouragement and assistance to claimants of incapacity benefits in order to enable greater numbers to realise their aspirations of getting back to work. As part of these pilots we are ensuring the initial Personal Capability Assessment(PCA) is completed in a more timely manner than at present, to fit more appropriately with the work-related support we are offering. However, there are no changes to the nature of the PCA assessment for benefit purposes, the threshold for satisfying the PCA, or the way in which PCA review dates are set.
§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people from whom incapacity benefit will be removed during the next year; and if he will make a statement. [163553]
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§ Maria EaglePeople may cease to receive Incapacity Benefit (IB) for a number of reasons, including an improvement in their condition or a return to work.
We have made no estimate of the number of people who will cease to be entitled to IB during the next year.
§ Mr. GoodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list in relation to incapacity benefit the sub-categories of payment made on mental health grounds. [163692]
§ Maria EagleEntitlement to Incapacity Benefit (IB) is not based on any particular diagnosis; instead, it is based on a functional assessment of how a person's medical condition or disability affects their ability to perform day-to-day activities related to work. There are no sub-categories of IB payment that are related to the claimant's condition.