Paul Holmes

Liberal Democrats | Chesterfield

DIGITAL SWITCHOVER HELP SCHEME TO INCLUDE LOCAL AUTHORITY INFORMATION ON DISABLED - HOLMES

During the Third Reading Debate of the Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Bill yesterday in the House of Commons, Paul Holmes, Liberal Democrat MP for Chesterfield argued for the addition of local authority information in the identification of people who should benefit from the Digital Switchover Help Scheme. Paul Holmes said:

“Local authorities are more likely to have more comprehensive data on those who are registered blind or partially sighted but who are not over 75 and not on benefits and so registered with the Government or the Department for Work and Pensions.

“A significant body of people would benefit from the switchover provision but would not be identified if we relied entirely on data held centrally by Departments … perhaps 60,000 people would fall into that category.”

Commenting afterwards Paul Holmes MP added:

“This issue was brought to my attention by the Royal National Institute for the Blind, Sense and the Disability Rights Commission.

“I am delighted that the Government accepted my arguments and have amended the Bill to make sure that the thousands of people in need of help but not registered with the Department of Work and Pensions will now be offered assistance by the Digital Switchover Help Scheme.”