Written question asked by Lord Touhig (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Freud (Conservative) on Monday, 6 December 2010.

Disabled People: Poverty

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 8 November (WA 16), whether mitigating the effect of government policies on disabled people will (a) reduce the number of disabled people living poverty, (b) prevent the number of disabled people living in poverty from increasing, or (c) mean that the number of disabled people living in poverty will increase.

Answer: Within the Department for Work and Pensions, all Budget and spending review measures will be equality impact-assessed. This process is intended to highlight the risks and consequently to consider necessary mitigation as policies are being developed. The Government inherited a Budget deficit that is costing the country £43 billion in interest payments alone. We have had to make some tough choices, and we have tried to make fair choices for the country, for the taxpayer, and most importantly for those who need our support the most. We are therefore committed to engaging with disabled people to ensure that we make reforms that enable economic recovery, while ensuring that the impact on disabled people and other disadvantaged groups remains proportionate.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 4416; 723 c7WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Disabled People: Poverty
Monday, 8 November 2010
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Disability Poverty
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk