Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Steven Paterson and Justin Tomlinson(8 years, 6 months ago)
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Steven Paterson (Stirling) (SNP)
T7. Given the importance of the health and work programme, which supports disabled people who are unable to work or gain access to work, will the Minister ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to publish his Green Paper as a matter of urgency, so that disabled people do not have to wait any longer to access support?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Disabled People (Justin Tomlinson)
The Green Paper gives a fantastic opportunity for stakeholders, with their first-hand experience and knowledge, to help shape the policy, and, where there is local best practice, to look for ways in which we can scale that up.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Steven Paterson and Justin Tomlinson(8 years, 7 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Steven Paterson (Stirling) (SNP)
2. What assessment he has made of the effect on disabled people of changes to benefits since 2012.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Disabled People (Justin Tomlinson)
The Government set out on 20 July 2015 our assessment of the impact of the welfare policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016, with similar assessments for previous changes. Spending to support people with disabilities and health conditions will be higher in real terms in every year to 2020 than in 2012.
Steven Paterson
Once universal credit has been fully implemented, severely disabled people with no adult to assist them will be entitled to about £58 less per week than under the current system. Is the Minister concerned that young carers are likely to face considerable additional burdens as a result of the loss of the severe disability premium from about 25,000 disabled single parents?
Justin Tomlinson
I did not quite pick up all the hon. Gentleman’s points, but a number of exemptions are in place. We continue to review the best way to protect vulnerable people. Universal credit will be a far better, far simpler and far more supportive benefit. It will help people.