§ 21. Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the extension of the New Deal to people with disabilities. [53494]
§ Mr. TimmsThis Government are committed to removing barriers to work and providing active help to people with a long-term illness or disability who want to work. That is why we introduced the New Deal for Disabled People, funded by £195 million from the Windfall Tax.
Over the next two years we will pilot a new Personal Adviser service in twelve areas which will offer support and advice to over a quarter of a million people on incapacity benefits. The first six pilots, to be run by the Employment Service, were launched on 28 September. A further six have been put out to competitive tender and should start early next year. In addition, we are testing ways of helping disabled people into work by funding a number of Innovative Schemes. 10 contracts to run schemes were announced in July and further contracts will be announced next year.
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