§ 8. Mr. Ben Chapman (Wirral, South)If he will make a statement on his Department's role in the single work-focused gateway. [68013]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security (Angela Eagle)This Department and the Department for Education and Employment have joint responsibility for the delivery of the single work-focused gateway. Both Departments are working together to develop a more integrated and work-focused service for benefit claimants.
§ Mr. ChapmanDoes my hon. Friend agree that the Government's view that work is the best form of welfare is generally shared? Does she also agree that many people in my constituency, including disabled people, have hitherto felt discouraged from working, and will see a fresh opportunity in the new single gateway? Is it not important for personal advisers to be trained adequately for their important task, and should we not proceed in the pilot areas, focusing attention on where help is needed, as quickly as possible?
§ Angela EagleWe must deal sensitively with people with disabilities who may be entering the labour market for the first time. Research shows, however, that nearly 1 million people with disabilities want a chance to participate in that market. [Interruption.] Rather than sneering, the Conservative party should give us some credit for trying to include those people in society.
§ Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York)Does the hon. Lady agree that personal advisers will have a crucial role? I understand that parts of the Vale of York and City of York will fall within the pilot scheme. What will the precise role of the personal adviser be? How many of them will there be? What will the cost to the taxpayer be? The Minister touched on the role of disability benefits. Can she assure me that no disabled person will have benefit removed because he or she is not able to access the interview on the first date given?
§ Angela EagleThe idea is to pass on to the benefits system some of the important lessons that we have learnt in implementing the new deal, where the role of the personal adviser has been much appreciated by people who have been through that training. The idea is for the personal adviser both to ensure that the correct benefits are claimed and to investigate pathways to independence for the person who is having the interview. The pilots will take place initially in 12 areas. The cost set aside for running the 12 gateway pilots is £80 million.