To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many previously long-term sick people have returned to work during the last 12 months. [206187]

This information is not available, however based on incapacity benefits administration data and the "Destination of Benefit Leavers Summary Report" published in February 2004, it is estimated that approximately 300,000 people leave incapacity benefits for work in each year.

A copy of the report is available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on recent action by Jobcentre Plus to enhance incentives to return to work after receipt of benefits. [204654]

We recognise that people on benefits face a variety of barriers on returning to work and have already introduced a range of measures designed to help people overcome them.

On the 25 October 2004, we introduced an improved job grant for customers receiving jobseekers allowance aged 25 and over, and all lone parents and people of any age receiving income support or an incapacity benefit who are moving into full time work.

For lone parents the job grant replaces the lone parent's benefit run-on. For the first time access has also been extended to partners of eligible benefit recipients who take up work of 24 hours a week or more which takes the household off benefit.

The improvements to the job grant include an increase to £250 in the amount payable to those with children with other customers receiving £100. In addition, the qualifying period of benefit receipt has been reduced from 52 weeks to 26 weeks.

Job grant can be paid in addition to other work incentives providing the qualifying conditions are met. housing benefit and council tax benefit extended payments, mortgage interest run-on, the adviser discretion fund, and tax credits, are all designed to encourage customers by providing a smooth transition from benefits into work.

In addition we are piloting other initiatives in particular areas, for example the lone parent in work credit of 40 a week for the first 52 weeks in full time work was extended to a further nine jobcentre plus districts from 25 October.