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Strong Local Voice, Strong Local ChampionAnnette Brooke, Lib Dem MP for Mid Dorset & North Poole |
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Annette Brooke MP Questions new Minister for Disabled People on Personal Independence Payments for Visually Impaired People
September 11, 2012 2:28 PM
Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, yesterday asked Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Esther McVey for reassurance that visually impaired people would not be treated differently in their assessments for the Personal Independence Payment depending on whether they used a long cane or a support dog. Annette stated that they should be assessed based on their level of disability during Work and Pensions Questions in the House of Commons.
The Minister assured Annette that the consultation was still ongoing but that assessments will fully reflect the changes that are required for blind and partially sighted people, and that there will not be any discrimination.
Annette said: "I am aware of the concerns of a range of disability organisations regarding the future of Personal Independence Payments and I feel the Government needs to provide clear information about future support. I am very pleased to receive these assurances from the Minister. It is vital that we get the assessments for Personal Independence Payments right, and that they are designed in a way that fully assesses the level of disability and does not discriminate."
Full question:
Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD): There is concern among visually impaired people that they might be treated differently according to whether they use a long cane or a support dog, rather than being assessed on the level of their disability. Will the Minister reassure me that such discrimination will not exist in the final criteria for personal independence payments?
Esther McVey: I assure my hon. Friend that assessments will fully reflect the changes that are required for blind and partially sighted people, and that there will not be any discrimination like that. We have not finished consulting; it is an ongoing process. We have listened to people's concerns and altered the assessment as it goes, and we will be taking all of this into account.