Autism: Personal Independence Payments

Lord Kinnock Excerpts

Monday 12th September 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Freud]

My Lords, clearly this is a different assessment that measures different things. However, we are learning lessons from the WCA, and noble Lords will know that we are making considerable changes to it to make sure that it works as effectively as possible. We also expect to make sure that the personal independence payment is focused on the needs of the individual. The assessment is much more appropriate than the DLA assessment, which is, frankly, subjective and inconsistent and relies much too much on self-assessment.

[Lord Kinnock]

Would the Minister like to give further attention to the first reply he gave to my noble friend Lord Touhig to the effect that the cuts are cuts in projections and spending is flat? Does that take account of the fact that we now live with the reality of a 5 per cent inflation rate?

[Lord Freud]

Yes, my Lords. I made absolutely clear in that response that I was talking in real terms, so it takes account of inflation.