Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Access to Work Scheme

Monday 27 October 2025 · 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

  • Ministerial concerns were raised about the Access to Work scheme reducing support for individuals as they advance in their careers.
  • Questions were posed regarding the significant reduction in support awards for blind and partially sighted workers during review periods.
  • The Minister assured that there has been no change in Access to Work policy, only a more consistent application of existing guidelines.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bobby Dean Lib Dem Carshalton and Wallington
Benefits & Welfare
Context

A constituent expressed frustration over reduced support from the Access to Work scheme despite career progression, highlighting the need for continuous support.

Question

A constituent came to my surgery the other week who felt pretty frustrated that the Access to Work scheme, which once supported him, was pulling the rug from beneath his feet as he progressed in his career. He has been a model example; he has not let his multiple neurodivergent diagnoses hold him back. He has worked hard and, with support, has earned a promotion to a deputy leadership position. At that point, the DWP decided to reassess him, and it downgraded his support—right at the moment when he felt he needed to maintain that support, given his new responsibilities. Can the Minister assure us that when the reforms come, they will ensure that people are supported over the progression of their career, as well as into work in the first place?

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

The hon. Gentleman makes a good point. Obviously, I do not know the details of the case that he refers to, but it is important that Access to Work and our wider employment support enable people not just to get into work, but to thrive once they are there, exactly as he says.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide assurances about future reforms ensuring continuous career progression support.

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Q2 Marsha De Cordova Lab Battersea
Employment
Context

The Access to Work scheme is vital for blind and partially sighted workers, but they are seeing their support reduced during reviews.

Question

The Access to Work scheme provides vital support, and it is one of the best forms of support for blind and partially sighted workers, but when their awards come up for review, they find that their support and awards are being significantly reduced. Given the Government’s commitment to keeping Britain working, will the Minister explain why blind and partially sighted people are seeing their support cut? Will he agree to meet me and sight-loss organisations to see how we can address some of the challenges with the scheme?

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

There has been absolutely no change in the policy on Access to Work, but there has been more scrupulous application of the existing policy and guidance over the last year. That means that Access to Work awards have been more consistent, and I know there have been cases in which support has been reduced. I am looking forward to attending the forthcoming meeting of the all-party group on eye health and visual impairment, which my hon. Friend chairs; that might give us an opportunity to discuss the issues she has raised.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a clear explanation for why awards are being reduced during reviews.

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Q3 Martin Wrigley Lib Dem Newton Abbot
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Local organisations have ceased providing Access to Work services due to numerous claim denials and reductions, despite following guidelines.

Question

On 20 May, I met the Minister to speak about Access to Work claims that were being denied, changed or reduced, all contrary to the guidelines. The Minister assured me that it was a communications issue, that the guidelines had not changed and that officials were going to fix the problems by speaking to the local jobcentre. The problems were not fixed. Since then, both Dawlish Gardens Trust and the No Limits café in Newton Abbot have ceased to provide Access to Work services because the system just is not working and, they said, every claim was being rejected. That assessment has been mirrored by the Access to Work Collective. Who changed the guidelines, and why? Are they simply being ignored to save money at the cost of vulnerable adults? If the Minister would like more information, I am happy to meet him again.

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

I am very happy to meet the hon. Gentleman again, but I assure him that the policy has not changed. In fact, just last week we published the spending figures on Access to Work, which went up by 17% in the last year and by 32% in the year before that. I do not know what happened in the particular case the hon. Gentleman referred to, but would be happy to look at it further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address whether guidelines were being ignored or if there was a cost-saving motive behind claim denials and reductions.

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