HC Deb 26 March 1998 vol 309 cc258-9W
19. Miss Geraldine Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the new deal for disabled people and those with long-standing illnesses. [34913]

38. Mr. Dawson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the New Deal for disabled people and those with long-standing illnesses. [34933]

Mr. Alan Howarth

The programme is based on our belief that many people on sickness and disability benefits would work given the right support. The Department and the Department of Social Security are working together to develop new approaches to helping disabled people move into or stay in work, and to pilot initiatives involving Personal Advisers helping disabled people to overcome barriers to work. The first tranche of successful bids to run innovative schemes will be announced in May and the first of 12 Personal Adviser pilots will start in September or October 1998.