Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Disabled People: Support in Work

Monday 11 July 2022 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister committed to reducing the disability employment gap with 1.3 billion investment over three years.
  • Government plans to bring forward a health and disability benefits assessment White Paper.
  • Transforming the Access to Work scheme to better support disabled individuals is a priority.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Marion Fellows SNP
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The UK has seen an increase in the number of disabled people in work, but there are concerns about the suitability of the current statutory sick pay system and the effectiveness of the Access to Work fund.

Question

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure that disabled people are supported in work. The UK has the highest levels of in-work poverty this century, disproportionately impacting groups facing higher living costs like disabled people. Will the UK Government's health and disability White Paper address statutory sick pay suitability, increase Access to Work funding, remove payment caps, and set statutory timescales for reasonable adjustments?

Answer from Chloe Smith

We remain committed to reducing the disability employment gap by investing £1.3 billion over three years in employment support for disabled people. We will bring forward our health and disability benefits assessment White Paper, aiming to help more disabled people start, stay and succeed in work as part of being resilient to economic crises.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific requests about statutory sick pay suitability, increasing Access to Work funding, removing payment caps, and setting statutory timescales were not directly addressed.

How: As Is The Hon. Member'S Wont, She Introduces A Series Of Serious Points, Which I Look Forward To Continuing To Discuss With Her Here And In Other Places.

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Q2 Marion Fellows SNP
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

Despite progress in reducing the disability employment gap, there are concerns about the effectiveness of Access to Work and the suitability of statutory sick pay for disabled people.

Question

The UK has the highest levels of in-work poverty this century, which disproportionately impacts disabled people. In light of rising living costs, will the White Paper address the current statutory sick pay system's suitability, increase the Access to Work fund, remove the payment cap, and establish statutory timescales for implementing reasonable adjustments?

Answer from Chloe Smith

We look forward to discussing our health and disability benefits assessment White Paper with hon. Members. Our goal is to help disabled people start, stay and succeed in work. We are committed to further transforming Access to Work to make it more effective for disabled individuals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific requests about statutory sick pay suitability, increasing Access to Work funding, removing payment caps, and setting statutory timescales were not directly addressed.

How: I Very Much Look Forward To Discussing The Full Breadth Of Contents With Her.

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Q3 Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The National Centre for Social Research report indicates that many disabled people live in poverty, despite the government's claim that work is a route out of poverty. The disability employment gap remains at 28%, and the Access to Work scheme is seen as ineffective.

Question

The Government-commissioned NCSR report confirms high levels of in-work poverty among disabled individuals. While Ministers argue that work leads to poverty reduction, the disability employment gap stands stubbornly at 28%. The bureaucratic Access to Work scheme with an ineffective spending cap, not available in all accessible formats, receives only £128 million compared to £64 billion on disability benefits. What does the Minister say to disabled people who wish to work but face a system that is not fit for purpose?

Answer from Chloe Smith

The disability employment gap is moving in the right direction. We acknowledge progress but aim for more. Transforming Access to Work to make it even more effective for helping disabled people start, stay and succeed in work remains a priority.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific criticisms about the inefficacy of statutory sick pay and the need for changes in Access to Work funding were not addressed directly.

How: I Think The Hon. Member Is Wrong To Say That The Disability Employment Gap Is Static At 28%. It Is Moving In The Right Direction.

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