Written question asked by Parmjit Dhanda (Labour) on Monday, 28 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 6 April 2005. It was answered by Maria Eagle (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 April 2005 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to encourage (a) independent living and (b) independent advocacy for disabled people.

Answer: Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to encourage (a) independent living and (b) independent advocacy for disabled people. [224561] Maria Eagle: The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for financing the Independent Living Funds which currently benefits some 16,400 severely disabled people and also acts as sponsor for the Motability scheme which helps finance personal transport for some 378,000 disabled people. In addition, independent living is one of the key areas addressed in the recent Prime Minister's Strategy Unit report "Improving the life chances of disabled people" a copy of which is available in the Library. The report sets out a vision that by 2025 disabled people will have the full opportunities and choices necessary to enable them to improve their quality of life. Among the proposals are a range of measures including new individual budgets, together with better advice and advocacy support. This is a cross-Government report, and this Department will be coordinating the overall implementation action.

Secondary information