Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

People with Disabilities and Long-term Health Conditions: Work Support

Monday 3 February 2025 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Katrina Murray raised concerns about barriers preventing disabled people from entering and staying in the workplace, including strict attendance policies and lack of necessary adaptations.
  • The Government launched the "Keep Britain Working" review to make workplaces more inclusive and provide disabled individuals with opportunities in the labour market.
  • Sarah Dyke inquired about supporting disabled individuals in rural areas to find work and improve their quality of life, to which the Minister responded by mentioning the establishment of a disability employment panel and the rollout of the Connect to Work programme.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Katrina Murray Lab Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

Katrina Murray draws attention to her previous work representing disabled members on the national executive of Unison. She highlights barriers that prevent disabled individuals from entering and staying in the workplace, including a strict approach to attendance and sickness.

Question

I am concerned about the barriers preventing disabled people from not only entering but also staying in the workplace, such as a strict and punitive approach to attendance and sickness. There is also a failure to consider necessary adaptations that make work possible for disabled individuals. How will my right hon. Friend engage employers to ensure work is a positive and constructive experience for disabled people?

Answer from The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)

We have launched the “Keep Britain Working” review, which is being led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, the ex-chair of the John Lewis Partnership. This review will look at how to make workplaces more inclusive and ensure that disabled people are given opportunities in the labour market because it is beneficial for businesses and good for disabled individuals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not provide specific steps or concrete actions being taken with employers, but instead referred to a review process.

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Q2 Alex Ballinger Lab Halesowen
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

Alex Ballinger points out that the previous government was too quick to write off individuals who wanted to work but had health conditions or disabilities. He highlights constituents in Halesowen who want to work and could benefit from proper support.

Question

The last Government were far too quick to write off people with disabilities who wished to work but faced health challenges. Many of my constituents wish to work, and with the right help they can achieve this goal. This would provide physical and mental health benefits. How will the Government reset our relationship with people with disabilities by providing them with the necessary support?

Answer from The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)

We have committed in our manifesto to putting the views and voices of disabled people at the heart of policy-making. The “Get Britain Working” White Paper announced the establishment of a disability employment panel, which will enable us to work with disabled individuals and provide them with necessary support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response provided general commitments rather than specific steps being taken.

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Q3 Adam Thompson Lab
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

Adam Thompson shares the story of his constituent Jim, who suffered a spinal stroke and now faces challenges in managing his condition while working. He points out that benefit arrangements could lead to sanctions for individuals like Jim who have occasional bursts of productivity.

Question

Jim is my close friend and he was struck by a sudden pain at work due to a spinal stroke, leaving him unable to walk and requiring medication which limits his ability to work consistently. However, the benefits system may result in sanctions if Jim were able to perform some work occasionally. What steps will be taken to ensure that individuals like Jim can get back into work without fear of sanctions?

Answer from The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)

We acknowledge that the health and disability benefits system needs reform, particularly regarding barriers faced by disabled people such as Jim who wish to work. We are determined to change this system to enable more opportunities for disabled individuals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not provide specific measures or actions being taken towards system reform.

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Q4 Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

People living with disabilities in rural areas like Glastonbury and Somerton face barriers to employment such as lack of opportunities, poor transport, and high childcare costs.

Question

People living with disabilities in rural areas such as Glastonbury and Somerton face many barriers to finding work. How will the Minister support individuals living in rural areas to overcome these barriers and help them improve their quality of life?

Answer from Stephen Timms

We will be doing a lot to support disabled people into work and remove barriers, as the hon. Lady rightly says. We are setting up a disability employment panel to ensure we get this right alongside disabled people. The Connect to Work programme is also being rolled out over the year to help. If there are particular problems in her area that she would like to draw to my attention, I will be very interested to hear about them.

Answered
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Q5 Danny Kruger Reform East Wiltshire
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The shadow Minister cites media reports suggesting frustration at the delay in issuing a Green Paper on welfare reforms, and notes that waiting has led to a financial cost.

Question

Given the constant rise in the welfare bill, what is the financial cost so far of Labour's inactivity since the election? The MP provides context stating the sum is £1.8 billion, equivalent to savings from cutting winter fuel payments plus income from taxing family farms.

Answer from Stephen Timms

The inactivity bequeathed to us by the previous Government had a huge cost. The week before last, a judicial review was lost on the previous Government’s handling of the work capability assessment changes, with the judge finding that the consultation was dishonest and rushed. We will do this exercise properly with a Green Paper setting out full details in spring for a very full consultation so everyone can give their views.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The cost of Labour's economic inactivity, specifically £1.8 billion mentioned by the shadow Minister.

How: We Will Do This Exercise Properly

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