Oral Answers to Questions

Heidi Allen Excerpts

Monday 1st February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Duncan Smith]

We have no plans to do that, but I am happy to see the hon. Gentleman if he wishes to encourage us.

[Heidi Allen (South Cambridgeshire) (Con)]

Following on from the comments about the ESA WRAG changes and the Lords having passed the matter back to us, I welcome the opportunity to look at this again and am excited to see the content of the White Paper. Can the Minister give us any feel at all about the cost recognition for claimants in the future? This is not just about support; it is also about the additional costs that they face to live.

[Priti Patel]

I thank my hon. Friend for the point she raises and her question, and I come back to the comments I made earlier. Importantly, the changes we are making, particularly through the Welfare Reform and Work Bill, show that we are committed to transforming people’s lives by supporting more people with disabilities who face barriers to work. This also means an increase in funding support for those with health conditions and disabilities of almost 15%, and we will bring that forward in the new work and health programme.