§ 17. Mr. Tom Levitt (High Peak)What plans he has to develop the role of personal advisers in improving disabled people's prospects of employment. [40050]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Employment (Mr. Alan Howarth)Under the new deal for disabled people, the personal adviser service will offer an expert, individually tailored service designed to encourage and support people on incapacity benefits as they seek work and greater independence. We have announced plans to start pilot services in the autumn.
The new deal for 18 to 24-year-olds, which began nationwide on 6 April, also helps disabled young people in receipt of jobseeker's allowance. Personal advisers will, as part of the gateway stage, help identify the most appropriate route into employment, tailored to each disabled person's needs.
§ Mr. LevittI thank my hon. Friend for that answer. I am sure he agrees that disabled people should receive a sympathetic and understanding reception at whichever part of the Employment Service they first come into contact with. Will he ensure, therefore, that good practice in that respect, whether it is from the new deal, the placing assessment counselling teams, or other parts of the Employment Service, is disseminated throughout that service for the benefit of all disabled people seeking work?
§ Mr. HowarthI strongly welcome what my hon. Friend has said. We expect good practice that is developed in the gateway and in the whole experience of the new deals, including the new deal for disabled people, to be spread throughout the Employment Service. I know that my hon. Friend has been in discussions with Leigh Lewis, the chief executive of the Employment Service, and I am sure that he is aware of the guidance given to staff of the Employment Service that they should treat all clients with the sensitivity and dignity that they are entitled to expect.
§ Mr. Nick St. Aubyn (Guildford)On a point of order, Madam Speaker.
§ Madam SpeakerWe take points of order after statements and the business question.