Incapacity Benefit
Work and Pensions
Written answers and statements, 3 November 2009
Mark Harper (Shadow Minister (Disabled People), Work and Pensions; Forest of Dean, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of incapacity benefit claimants between the ages of 18 and 25 she expects to take part in three additional mandatory work-focused interviews as proposed in the Social Security (Incapacity Benefit Work-Focused Interviews) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 in the next 12 months.
Jonathan R Shaw (Minister of State (Disabled People), Regional Affairs; Chatham & Aylesford, Labour)
holding answer
The exercise to require existing customers on incapacity benefits under the age of 25 in Jobcentre Plus Pathways to Work areas to attend mandatory work-focused interviews begins this month. We plan to complete the exercise by March 2011. Current estimates indicate that around 28,300 customers will be affected, this represents around 25 per cent. of the 18 to 25-year-olds currently on incapacity benefits nationally. Customers who are currently exempt from attending personal capability assessments will not be called in for interview.