Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people with degenerative illnesses are included within the employment and support allowance work-related activity group in (a) Plymouth, (b) the South West and (c) England; and whether any special provision is made for people who have degenerative conditions.

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

As two people with the same condition can be affected in different ways, there is no condition based entitlement to Employment Support Allowance. The Work Capability Assessment recognises that conditions can vary in their severity and therefore people with the same condition can be placed in the Work Related Activity Group or the Support Group.