Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Disabled People: Support for Shielding

Monday 25 January 2021 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial responses noted that people advised to shield and unable to work from home may be furloughed, with other options like statutory sick pay or new-style ESA available from day one.
  • The government responded that they have provided over 9 billion of additional welfare support, including annual uprating for those on legacy benefits.
  • People receiving severe disability premium are soon able to assess if they would be better off transferring to universal credit, which has annual uprating for disability benefits.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Virendra Sharma Lab
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Disabled individuals required to shield face financial strain due to inability to work from home and limited furlough support options.

Question

I am concerned about the steps my Department has taken to provide financial support to disabled people who are required to shield during the national lockdown. Many of them cannot work from home and do not qualify for furlough, which leaves them with only statutory sick pay as an option.

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

People advised to shield and unable to work from home may be furloughed. Those not furloughed can apply for statutory sick pay or new-style employment and support allowance, both payable from day one of a claim. Universal credit eligibility is also an option depending on individual circumstances.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specifically address the issue of disabled people being disproportionately affected by the lack of furlough availability or sick pay inadequacy

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Q2 Justin Madders Lab Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Many disabled people are still receiving legacy benefits rather than universal credit, missing out on a £20 per week increase.

Question

Disabled individuals on legacy benefits have missed out on the £20 a week universal credit uplift. While the government voted to retain this payment last week, when will they ensure all disabled people get access to it?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

We have shown our support through over £9 billion of additional welfare, including annual uprating for those on legacy benefits. Those who would be better off on UC should transfer.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address the issue of providing access to the universal credit uplift immediately

How: Showing Existing Support, Encouraging Voluntary Transfers

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Q3 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Benefits & Welfare
Context

2.2 million people are required to shield, many of whom cannot work from home or qualify for furlough.

Question

Many disabled individuals must shield but do not meet the criteria for furlough and receive only £95.85 in statutory sick pay per week. What concrete steps will be taken to ensure these people are supported financially?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

Statutory sick pay is part of the safety net; other options like new-style ESA or UC may apply. Access to Work has been extended for those working from home, offering additional support and equipment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline or concrete financial aid plan

How: Providing Existing Options, Mentioning Ongoing Schemes

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Q4 Virendra Sharma Lab
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Disabled people on legacy benefits like ESA and JSA are missing out on the £20 a week increase given to UC claimants.

Question

The lack of uplift for legacy benefit claimants discriminates against disabled individuals who disproportionately rely on these benefits. When will this discrimination end?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

If a claimant could be better off on UC, they should apply for it; since 2010, disability benefits have increased by £3 billion in real terms. This reflects our support record.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to ending discrimination or providing uplift directly

How: Encouraging Voluntary Transfer, Highlighting Existing Benefit Increases

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Q5 Stephen Timms Lab East Ham
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Individuals claiming severe disability premium cannot switch to universal credit and face increased costs during the pandemic.

Question

Why are people receiving severe disability premium unable to transfer to universal credit, thus missing out on the £20 a week increase that other recipients benefit from?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

The SDP gateway ends soon, allowing claimants to assess if they would be better off on UC. Those with disabilities benefit from annual uprating in DLA, PIP and AA, contributing to the £3 billion real-term increase since 2010.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address why SDP claimants cannot switch or what immediate action would be taken

How: Referencing Upcoming Gateway Changes, Highlighting Other Benefit Increases

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Q6 Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Since the start of the pandemic, shielding individuals have faced increased costs and financial hardship.

Question

Why are people who must shield not furloughed from day one? The current solution of statutory sick pay is insufficient. Will the Government finally ensure that everyone needing to isolate or shield receives guaranteed furlough support?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

Furlough, additional £9 billion welfare support and local authority provision of £32 million are available. Certainty is vital; reflecting on random attempts by the opposition to cancel UC may be beneficial.

Not addressed: Did not address furlough guarantee for all shielders directly

How: Highlighting Existing Schemes, Criticizing Opposition

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