Oral Answers to Questions

Neil O'Brien Excerpts

Monday 29th June 2020 Commons Chamber

[The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Dr Thérèse Coffey)]

The benefit cap does play an important part, but the hon. Gentleman may not aware of the exemptions to it. New and existing claimants can benefit from a nine-month grace period when their benefit will not be capped if they have a sustained work history. Since 2013, nearly 220,000 households which were subject to the benefit cap are now no longer capped.

[Neil O’Brien (Harborough) (Con)]

What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of benefits for people with severe disabilities.

[The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work (Justin Tomlinson)]

As a Government, we are currently spending £55 billion supporting disabled people and those with long-term health conditions. The level of financial support will reflect the level of disability or condition of the claimant.

[Neil O’Brien [V]]

I thank the Minister for his advice the other day regarding my disabled constituent Tom Hipgrave. Although the support provided by PIP is vital, what more is my hon. Friend doing to help those with severe disabilities, like Tom?

[Justin Tomlinson]

My hon. Friend is a very diligent representative of his constituents, as I saw with the casework he raised. Our forthcoming Green Paper is key, as is our national strategy for disabled people, where we will explore other ways to offer greater support, such as advocacy, signposting and removing barriers across Government and in wider society.