Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Disabled People on Legacy Benefits

Wednesday 7 July 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

  • The Government are committed to supporting disabled people affected by the covid-19 outbreak, including those who claim legacy benefits.
  • The Minister will get the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work to write to Chris Elmore regarding additional costs faced by disabled people during the pandemic.
  • The Government spend 57 billion on benefits to support disabled people and people with health conditions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend
Benefits & Welfare
Context

During the COVID-19 outbreak, discussions were needed to ensure adequate support for disabled individuals receiving legacy benefits.

Question

What discussions have been had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to ensure the adequacy of support for disabled people on legacy benefits during the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from Guy Opperman

The Government are committed to supporting disabled people affected by the covid-19 outbreak, including those who claim legacy benefits. We have delivered an unprecedented package of support, injecting billions into the welfare system, and we continue to monitor the impact on disabled people while ensuring that they are able to access the support that they need.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specify any discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions regarding legacy benefits.

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Q2 Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Disability Benefits Consortium found that 82% of disabled individuals have incurred higher expenses than usual during the pandemic, yet legacy payments were not increased.

Question

The Minister claims that legacy payments were not increased because disabled people have not faced additional costs during the pandemic, but the Disability Benefits Consortium found that 82% of disabled people have had to spend more money than they normally would during the pandemic. So will he set out for the House what evidence he is basing his assumptions on, because disabled people really do deserve better from this Government?

Answer from Guy Opperman

I will get the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work to write to the hon. Gentleman, but he will be aware that we spend £57 billion on benefits to support disabled people and people with health conditions. At the same time, we have reformed employment and support allowance in the light of covid and brought in supportive changes to statutory sick pay, local housing allowance and the Access to Work programme. We continue to support the disabled into work.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not address the specific evidence requested regarding additional costs faced by disabled individuals during the pandemic.

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