Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rules for Terminal Illness Review

Monday 28 June 2021 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Jessica Morden asked the Minister about publishing the findings from the review of special rules for terminal illness before the summer 2021 parliamentary recess.
  • The Department is committed to publishing the outcome of the evaluation, which will raise awareness and improve consistency with other services.
  • Vicky Foxcroft inquired about the Government's delayed disability strategy, expressing concerns over its potential lack of substantive changes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Benefits & Welfare Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The Department announced a review nearly two years ago, and the findings have not been published despite previous promises. The delay has caused distress to many who rely on these benefits.

Question

If her Department will publish the findings from its review of the special rules for terminal illness before the summer 2021 parliamentary recess. Last July, the Minister said it would be published shortly; today, he says, “in due course”. In the meantime, many have died while waiting for benefits decisions. How long do we have to wait until the Government scraps the six-month rule?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

The Department is committed to publishing the outcome of the evaluation, which will raise awareness of support, improve consistency with other services, and change the six-month rule. We will be able to make changes very, very soon.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline for publishing findings and scrapping the six-month rule was not provided

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Q2 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Benefits & Welfare Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The Department announced a review nearly two years ago, and the findings have not been published despite previous promises. The delay has caused distress to many who rely on these benefits.

Question

If her Department will publish the findings from its review of the special rules for terminal illness before the summer 2021 parliamentary recess. Last July, the Minister said it would be published shortly; today, he says, “in due course”. In the meantime, many have died while waiting for benefits decisions. How long do we have to wait until the Government scraps the six-month rule?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

The Department is committed to publishing the outcome of the evaluation, which will raise awareness of support, improve consistency with other services, and change the six-month rule. We will be able to make changes very, very soon.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline for publishing findings and scrapping the six-month rule was not provided

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Q3 Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Government's disability strategy has been delayed for two years, and there is concern that it may contain only warm words without real action. Disabled people are hoping for radical policies to improve their lives.

Question

Like the review of the special rules for terminal illness, the Government's disability strategy has been much delayed. After two long years, we are told to expect it “soon”. Disabled people are hoping for radical policies that will improve their lives. However, many fear it will contain warm words and platitudes but no real action. Can the Minister convince us that his strategy will be published with a fanfare and not just a whimper?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

Absolutely. The Department is working on proposed changes to SRTI; our forthcoming health and disability Green Paper, which looks at both disability benefits and support and employment, of which record amounts have been delivered; and our national strategy for disabled people with the Prime Minister's personal support, aiming to bring genuine cross-Government focus to create more inclusivity and remove barriers. All are due very soon.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or timelines not provided, focus on broad commitments instead of concrete measures

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