10 June 1993
Leaked Whitehall documents reveal plans to cut Invalidity Benefit.
What: A leaked draft letter to the Prime Minister from Peter Lilley (Secretary of State for Social Security) that was accidentally faxed to the Press Association, reveals proposals to make Invalidity Benefit (IVB) “less generous and make it taxable”. The document says a new assessment process will probably “exclude between 10 per cent and 20 per cent of people who would qualify for IVB under existing rules. This would amount to between 30,000 and 60,000 people.”
Why significant: Further evidence of government plans to cut spending on out-of-work disability benefits.
Citations
'Disabled to suffer under benefit cuts: Leaked government proposals will stop payments for 60,000 and tax the rest', Independent
The Social Security (Incapacity for Work) Act 1994