Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Access to Work Assessments

Monday 13 May 2024 · 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Access to Work assessments are facing increasing demand and a growing backlog.
  • The Department has increased staffing and is prioritizing renewal applications and those starting new jobs.
  • The Department aims to reduce assessment waiting times through digitalization efforts.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Neil Coyle Lab Bermondsey and Old Southwark
Employment
Context

The question arises from concerns about delays in Access to Work assessments.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for Access to Work assessments?

Answer from Mims Davies

Access to Work remains in high demand. We have increased the number of staff processing Access to Work claims, and are prioritising both renewal applications and applications from customers about to start a job. We are also improving the service through increased digitalisation to reduce the time from application to decision.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked for steps to reduce waiting times, but the answer did not provide any specific measures or timelines.

How: We Are Improving The Service Through Increased Digitalisation.

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Q2 Neil Coyle Lab Bermondsey and Old Southwark
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question follows a previous exchange about broken promises in the Access to Work scheme.

Question

On this, there is a litany of broken promises to disabled people. Ministers have failed to tackle the backlog, failed to open the scheme to more employers, failed to extend the scheme to apprenticeships and failed to passport packages of support. So why have Ministers now decided to hit disabled people with more brutal cuts to PIP, when they have not supported disabled people into work through Access to Work?

Answer from Mims Davies

The average timescale for an Access to Work application decision in April 2024 was 43.9 days. We have increased the staff on applications, redeploying 95 staff from wider DWP work. Despite the hon. Gentleman's points, claims for reimbursement are in a good position within a 10-day ambition to pay.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked why further cuts to PIP were decided upon despite failures with Access to Work; however, the answer did not address this specific point about PIP cuts.

How: Despite The Hon. Gentleman'S Points

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Q3 Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question concerns a growing backlog of Access to Work applications.

Question

Let's get some facts. On 1 January 2024, there were 24,874 people awaiting an Access to Work decision, on 1 February, 26,924, on 1 March, 29,871 and on 1 April, 32,445. Every month, the figure keeps increasing, so since the beginning of 2024 the Access to Work backlog has risen by more than 7,500. Does the Minister really think this is supporting more disabled people back into work?

Answer from Mims Davies

I thank the hon. Lady for her points. If we are trading figures, at the close of business on 7 May 2024, there were 36,721 applications awaiting decision. I remind those people listening why this matters. This is very significant support—demand-led support—for people who are getting opportunities to work or taking on new roles.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked whether the growing backlog supports more disabled individuals returning to employment, but the answer did not address this issue directly.

How: This Is Very Significant Support—Demand-Led Support

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Q4 Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North
Benefits & Welfare Standards & Ethics
Context

The question arises from concerns about the UN's latest review of how the UK has implemented its convention on the rights of disabled persons.

Question

I am absolutely shocked that the Minister brags about the Access to Work backlog increasing to 36,721. Last month, the UN published its latest review of how the UK has implemented its convention on the rights of disabled persons, the first since 2017. The Access to Work backlog was just one of the many reasons cited as evidence that the Government are still failing to take all appropriate measures to address grave and systemic violations of disabled people's rights. Does the Minister have any plans to put this right by finally implementing the UN's recommendations, or is she going to ignore them, as successive Tory Governments have consistently ignored disabled people?

Answer from Mims Davies

I am disappointed not to be enough of a bragger in this House, but I am very pleased that we are taking time to make sure that the tailored support is correct. We are working around fit notes and occupational health. We are also listening to those who are deaf and hard of hearing, who make up 36% of the total Access to Work expenditure.

Not addressed: The question specifically asked about implementing UN recommendations regarding disabled people's rights but the answer did not address this issue directly.

How: I Am Disappointed Not To Be Enough Of A Bragger In This House

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