Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Supporting Disabled People into Work

Monday 21 March 2022 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister committed to seeing 1 million more disabled people in work by 2027.
  • Department employs 900 disability employment advisers to assist claimants.
  • Access to Work improvements discussed, including adapting services for better employer and employee support.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Anna Firth
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP seeks to understand the steps being taken to help disabled individuals enter the workforce.

Question

What steps she is taking to help disabled people into work?

Answer from Mims Davies

We are committed to seeing 1 million more disabled people in work by 2027. A wide range of initiatives are available to support disabled people to stay in work or move into work, including contracted employment support, Access to Work, Disability Confident, and initiatives in partnership with the health system.

Partly answered

How: We Are Committed

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Q2 Martin Docherty SNP
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP inquires about the availability of assistive technology at jobcentres and staff training to support disabled claimants.

Question

Can the Minister advise the House on whether every jobcentre is equipped with assistive technology for disabled claimants and whether that is supported by appropriate staff training—and if not, why not?

Answer from Mims Davies

We have 900 disability employment advisers who individually work with claimants to help them to progress. One of the most positive outcomes of the kickstart scheme has been the number of people with neurodiversity or disabilities getting a first start into work because they worked directly with their work coaches to understand what support they needed to get into work. There is also, of course, the Access to Work programme.

Partly answered

How: We Have

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Q3 Marion Fellows SNP
NHS Employment
Context

The MP references a report highlighting the lack of support from employers for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), leading to early retirement.

Question

Will the Department commit to improving Access to Work by reducing waiting times, ending the payment cap altogether, and helping employees to better support their disabled employees to thrive and remain in work?

Answer from Mims Davies

I thank the hon. Lady for raising a really important point about employers being able to understand and work with their employees as their health needs change. Employers stepping forward to do more to retain quality staff is absolutely right. She will be pleased to know that we are adapting Access to Work to support hybrid working. We have introduced a new flexible offer, and we are also piloting an adjustment passport to help to smooth transitions into employment.

Partly answered

How: She Will Be Pleased

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Q4 Anna Firth
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP highlights a local charity providing training for young people with disabilities and learning difficulties.

Question

What support do the Government give such charities to help people with disabilities live their lives to the full?

Answer from Mims Davies

Support for small charities exists in the form of the work with the Regional Stakeholder Network, which provides charities with a platform to influence policies that directly impact the lives of disabled people. Through the RSN, support is provided for small charities by helping them to navigate the often difficult process of accessing public sector grants and contracts.

Partly answered

How: Exists In

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