Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Access to Work

Monday 4 September 2023 · 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

  • Access to Work has seen a significant rise in applications and is recruiting new staff to handle the increased volume.
  • The Department is implementing digitalisation to improve efficiency and reduce decision-making times for applicants.
  • Staffing levels in the Access to Work team are expected to increase from 375.22 to 530.41 full-time equivalents by October 2023.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Neil Coyle Lab Bermondsey and Old Southwark
Employment
Context

The number of applications for Access to Work has increased significantly, leading to longer processing times.

Question

Whether his Department plans to take steps to reduce the time taken by the decision-making process for applications to the Access to Work scheme. The questioner noted an increase in applications and highlighted the need for faster decisions to help applicants.

Answer from Tom Pursglove

Access to Work has received a significant increase in applications and we have recruited new staff. We are transforming the service through digitalisation, which will make it more efficient and improve application processing time from application to decision.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not specify timelines or exact steps for reducing decision-making times.

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Q2 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
NHS
Context

The questioner highlighted an event in Cambridge focusing on job opportunities for the neurodivergent community and expressed concern about the impact of long wait times.

Question

Will he tell us what impact these long waits have on people who are neurodivergent? The questioner drew attention to an event highlighting job opportunities for the neurodivergent community and questioned the impact of extended waiting periods.

Answer from Tom Pursglove

88% of claims were paid within 10 days last week. We are taking steps to improve the process, including increasing digital capacity and staffing levels. Anecdotally, officials report progress in reducing delays without compromising decision accuracy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not directly address the impact on neurodivergent individuals specifically.

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Q3 Neil Coyle Lab Bermondsey and Old Southwark
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Sayce review recommended supporting 100,000 disabled people through specialist employment programmes. However, Access to Work helped only 38,000 last year, and delays have tripled.

Question

When will the Department meet the 100,000 target and end the delays hitting disabled people, employers and the UK economy? The questioner referenced the Sayce review recommendation of supporting 100,000 disabled individuals but noted that Access to Work helped only 38,000 last year with tripling delays.

Answer from Tom Pursglove

Like the hon. Gentleman, I am passionate about Access to Work's positive impact on employment opportunities for people with disabilities. We are taking steps to improve decision journey times but will continue to work tirelessly to ensure quick access to support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide a specific timeline or commitment to meeting the 100,000 target.

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Q4 Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The backlog for Access to Work has tripled since February 2020, rising to more than 25,000. The Minister claimed additional resource was put into Access to Work in June.

Question

Will he inform the House exactly how many additional staff are working to clear the backlog and when he expects it to return to pre-pandemic levels? Disabled people are missing out on jobs due to unacceptable delays at DWP.

Answer from Tom Pursglove

Staffing levels in the Access to Work team increased from 375.22 full-time equivalents in March 2023 to an expected 530.41 by end of October 2023 with additional staff moving to Bradford. 88% of claims were paid within 10 days last week, reflecting a priority for the Department.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide a specific timeline for returning to pre-pandemic levels or address the impact on disabled people missing job opportunities.

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