Menu
14/05/2012
Disability Benefits To Be Reformed
The Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has said that planned changes to disability benefits will go ahead, insisting that the reform is needed.
The new reforms could see half a million people losing the Disability Living Allowance over the next four years.
But Mr Duncan Smith told the Daily Telegraph that the number of people claiming it had risen by 30% in recent years, with many people "allowed to fester".
Mr Duncan Smith said: "It's been rising well ahead of any other gauge you might make about illness, sickness, disability or, for that matter, general trends in society.
"A lot of that is down to the way the benefit was structured so that it was very loosely defined."
Labour said he was approaching reform with "contempt and carelessness".
Currently, people with a physical or mental disability can claim Disability Living Allowance. This has to be severe enough that they need help caring for themselves or have difficulty walking.
It can be claimed irrespective of employment status, and is not usually affected by savings or income.
Under the changes, two million claimants would be reassessed in the next four years, with only those considered to be in need of support able to qualify.
The allowance is currently claimed by more than three million people - but it is due to be replaced with a "personal independence payment", which ministers say will focus on those most in need.
Mr Duncan Smith said the current system had been exploited and abused because of political fear about reforming a benefit for the disabled.
(H/GK)
The new reforms could see half a million people losing the Disability Living Allowance over the next four years.
But Mr Duncan Smith told the Daily Telegraph that the number of people claiming it had risen by 30% in recent years, with many people "allowed to fester".
Mr Duncan Smith said: "It's been rising well ahead of any other gauge you might make about illness, sickness, disability or, for that matter, general trends in society.
"A lot of that is down to the way the benefit was structured so that it was very loosely defined."
Labour said he was approaching reform with "contempt and carelessness".
Currently, people with a physical or mental disability can claim Disability Living Allowance. This has to be severe enough that they need help caring for themselves or have difficulty walking.
It can be claimed irrespective of employment status, and is not usually affected by savings or income.
Under the changes, two million claimants would be reassessed in the next four years, with only those considered to be in need of support able to qualify.
The allowance is currently claimed by more than three million people - but it is due to be replaced with a "personal independence payment", which ministers say will focus on those most in need.
Mr Duncan Smith said the current system had been exploited and abused because of political fear about reforming a benefit for the disabled.
(H/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 April 2013
Changes To Disability Benefits Roll Out
Major changes to disability benefits are set to roll out today, but critics have claimed it will leave many worse off as a result. New claimants in areas of northern England will now receive Personal Independence Payments (PIP) instead of the previous Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
Changes To Disability Benefits Roll Out
Major changes to disability benefits are set to roll out today, but critics have claimed it will leave many worse off as a result. New claimants in areas of northern England will now receive Personal Independence Payments (PIP) instead of the previous Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
09 June 2004
Health department launches disability health action plan
The Health Department has launched a new action plan which it hopes will enable disabled people to use health services in the same way as everyone else.
Health department launches disability health action plan
The Health Department has launched a new action plan which it hopes will enable disabled people to use health services in the same way as everyone else.
10 August 2010
Credit Rating Agencies To 'Root Out' Benefits Cheats
Prime Minister David Cameron has unveiled plans for credit ratings firms to be used to identify benefits fraudsters. Mr Cameron announced the plans, which are aimed at cutting fraudulent claim amounting to £1.5 billion a year, in a speech in Manchester.
Credit Rating Agencies To 'Root Out' Benefits Cheats
Prime Minister David Cameron has unveiled plans for credit ratings firms to be used to identify benefits fraudsters. Mr Cameron announced the plans, which are aimed at cutting fraudulent claim amounting to £1.5 billion a year, in a speech in Manchester.
17 June 2004
Action needed to address disability discrimination
More needs to be done to improve the lives of the 10 million Britons affected by disability, according to a new report. The report from the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit found that disabled people fare less well in society compared to non-disabled people.
Action needed to address disability discrimination
More needs to be done to improve the lives of the 10 million Britons affected by disability, according to a new report. The report from the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit found that disabled people fare less well in society compared to non-disabled people.
23 October 2015
MPs Urged To Do More For Disabled Workers
MPs are being called on to do more to help disabled jobseekers into work by the Minister for Disabled People, Justin Tomlinson. The Minister said that members of parliament should take a more active role in matching disabled jobseekers with employers in their areas.
MPs Urged To Do More For Disabled Workers
MPs are being called on to do more to help disabled jobseekers into work by the Minister for Disabled People, Justin Tomlinson. The Minister said that members of parliament should take a more active role in matching disabled jobseekers with employers in their areas.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A fine dry days weather with sunshine quite widespread, particularly from mid-morning. Temperatures best across southern districts. North to northwesy breezes occasionally freshening around the coasts. Maximum temperature 15 °C.Tonight:Most dry with good clear spells bringing a rural frost in the south for some. Cloudier around northern coasts where the odd light shower may develop. Northerly breezes persisting. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
