Support for People with Disabilities 2024-05-15
2024-05-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The United Nations has found that the Government have breached the rights of sick and disabled people, including their rights at work. The Department for Work and Pensions is accused of discriminating against sick and disabled people.
Given that only 2.7% of participants in the Government's work and health programme have a successful job outcome, what meaningful proposals do the Government have to reduce the 29% disability employment gap?
I thank the hon. Lady for her point, and I feel disappointed about the report from the United Nations. The Government strongly rejected its findings in 2016 but continue to implement the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities through policies like WorkWell, disability employment advisers, and fit note reform.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific proposals for reducing the disability employment gap were not provided
The Government Strongly Rejected Its Findings In 2016
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The Minister is committed to disability employment.
What is she doing, both at the DWP and in her wider role across Government, to ensure that inclusion is embedded in policy and leadership so that disabled people—particularly those who are neurodiverse—are supported into civil service jobs?
We are delivering on the Buckland review, all ministerial Departments are signing up to Disability Confident, and we are working with parent Departments to encourage more of them to do the same. One in 10 senior civil servants declare themselves as disabled, and since 2013, the proportion of civil servants with a disability has increased.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
In December, the issue of the disability pay gap was raised. Despite initial claims that the Government are closing the disability employment gap, statistics show a decrease in disabled people employed from January to March 2024 compared with the same period in 2023.
Why does she think the plan is not working when there are fewer disabled people in employment compared to last year?
The hon. Lady and I could trade statistics, but what I am interested in is opportunities for disabled people and people with health conditions, hence the work we are doing on the Buckland review, entrepreneurship, and the Lilac review. We will update the House soon.
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Assessment & feedback
The reason why disability employment initiatives might not be working was not addressed
We Could Trade Statistics
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government deliver wide-ranging support for disabled people, including in work and education.
If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of Government support for people with disabilities?
The Government deliver wide-ranging support for disabled people, including in work and education. We continually seek to enhance support, such as via improvements to health and disability benefits system, accessibility of homes and transport, and through delivery of the national disability strategy and the disability action plan.
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Assessment & feedback
The adequacy of current Government support was not assessed specifically
We Continually Seek To Enhance Support
Response accuracy