Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Support into Work: Health Conditions

Monday 8 December 2025 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial statements acknowledged the persistent disability employment gap of around 30 percentage points since 1999.
  • The Motability scheme was highlighted as crucial for enabling many disabled individuals to reach their workplaces.
  • The BSL Advisory Board's recent report on access to health and care support was noted, addressing issues faced by deaf individuals requiring BSL interpreters.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Paulette Hamilton Lab Birmingham Erdington
NHS Employment
Context

A constituent with severe health needs gained employment after securing a car through the Motability scheme, highlighting the importance of such support for disabled people.

Question

A constituent of mine with severe health needs recently told me that she gained employment only after she was able to learn to drive and then secure a car through the Motability scheme. Can the Minister set out what further steps the Department is taking to ensure that disabled people with health needs receive the support they need to gain access to work and to take part fully in the things they enjoy?

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

There is a great deal of work to be done: the disability employment gap has been stuck at around 30 percentage points ever since 1998. We have talked already today about Motability, which is key for enabling many disabled people to get to work. After the changes next July, there will still be a wide range of vehicles available in exchange solely for mobility benefit. Access to Work is also extremely important. We consulted earlier in the year through our Green Paper on reform to Access to Work, so that we can help and support more people, and we will be bringing forward proposals along those lines in the new year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific details about additional steps beyond mentioning Motability and Access to Work consultations.

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Q2 Vikki Slade Lib Dem Mid Dorset and North Poole
NHS Employment
Context

The MP mentions constituents needing British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters for appointments, highlighting the scarcity of such services in their area.

Question

I have been assisting several constituents who are deaf and need the support of British Sign Language interpreters and face-to-face appointments. There are only five BSL interpreters available to cover the whole of Dorset, and as a result people are waiting extremely long periods not only to get appointments but to get access to help them get to work. Can the Minister explain what is being done to provide more such services?

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

I am sure that the hon. Lady will be interested in the recent report published by the BSL Advisory Board, which works with the Government specifically on BSL. I met members of the board last week. They produced a report recently on access to health and care support, specifically highlighting some of these issues. For example, how do BSL users make GP appointments? The other steps that I have outlined today will also be important for deaf and disabled people, and we will continue to work closely with BSL Advisory Board on these issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific details about additional actions being taken beyond referencing the BSL Advisory Board's report.

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