WELFARE REFORM AND DISABILITY BENEFITS

Early day motion 375, tabled 2 March 1999 by Jim Cunningham (Labour). Signed by 69 members.

That this House congratulates Her Majesty's Government on its proposals for welfare reform which will encourage those who can work to enter employment, while offering greater security to those who cannot; welcomes efforts to concentrate public funds on those with severe disablement; in particular welcomes the extension of disability living allowance to severely disabled children under five years of age, recognising the significant mobility costs met by parents in ensuring the adequate development and socialisation of such children; supports the principle that there should be a fairer balance state and individual in sharing the cost of capacity; notes the concerns within disability groups regarding the possible effects these changes may have on the genuinely disabled; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to give consideration to a more generous set of arrangements for those recipients of incapacity benefit who draw upon occupational pensions.

Signatures by party: Labour 61, Labour/Co-operative 6, UKUP 1, UUP 1.