House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Review of Special Rules for Terminal Illness

Monday 8 March 2021 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

Christina Rees inquired about the plans to publish the Department's review of special rules for terminal illness.
The Department aims to improve the benefit system for claimants nearing the end of their lives.
Christina Rees highlighted an anomaly where those with terminal illnesses must reapply after three years, while those with severe conditions undergo a light-touch review after ten years.

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Christina Rees Lab

Benefits & Welfare

Context

The question follows a departmental review into the special rules applicable to individuals with terminal illnesses.

Question

What plans does she have to publish her Department's review of the special rules for terminal illness?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

The Department is committed to delivering an improved benefit system for claimants nearing the end of their lives, and we are working across government to bring forward changes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Publication plans of the review were not specified.

How: Under Consideration

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Q2 Christina Rees Lab

Benefits & Welfare

Context

There is an inconsistency where individuals with a severe condition have to reapply after three years under the special rules despite having ongoing awards, while others eligible under normal rules undergo light-touch reviews.

Question

Will the Minister urgently correct the anomaly whereby someone with a severe condition eligible for an ongoing award under the normal rules has a light-touch review after 10 years, but someone with a terminal illness such as motor neurone disease has to reapply after three years under the special rules or risk having their benefits stopped?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

I thank the hon. Member for raising that important point, referring to someone who qualifies under special rules for terminal illness normally having an award for three years. The point was raised during the review of changing the rules around special rules; we are considering it and I welcome its having been raised.