§ Ms KeebleTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the total budget for capitation grants for disabled people in supported employment placements. [45322]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe total budget for 1998–99 for the supported employment grant, which is paid to Local Authorities and Voluntary Bodies, is £56.7 million.
§ Mr. CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what definition of disability will be used when assessing people as eligible for the training provisions set out under the Welfare to Work package; and if he will make a statement. [44979]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe New Deal for 18–24 year olds allows young people with disabilities who are claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) to choose to join the programme early. The definition of disability used for this purpose is that contained within the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
To be eligible for the New Deal for Disabled People programme, disabled people and those with a long term illness must be claiming Incapacity Benefit, Income Support with a Disability Premium or Severe Disablement Allowance, or be at risk of moving onto those benefits as a result of a long term illness or disability.