§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of staff in his Department had a disability in each year since 1992; and what targets are in place to increase the recruitment of people with disabilities. [9809]
§ Mr. McCartneyThe proportion of staff with a disability employed by the Department for Work and Pensions is currently 5 per cent. The proportion of disabled staff employed by the former Department of Social Security and the Employment Service in each year since 1992 (where data are available) is set out in the table.
Percentage 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 DSS 6.1 — 4.9 4.7 4.7 ES — — — 6.5 5.8 The figures for previous years omit the relatively small number of staff who have additionally transferred across to DWP from DfEE.
This Department has a range of policies and procedures in place to encourage the employment of people with disabilities covering their recruitment, retention and career development. In addition, this Department participates in the Positive About Disabled People Symbol scheme (known as the "two ticks" symbol) and operates a guaranteed interview scheme for job applicants with disabilities. Equality targets have been put in place to increase the representation of disabled staff at all levels within across the organisation, for achievement by March 2005. Details are set out in the table:
Percentage of disabled staff as at December 1999 Target percentage by 2005 SCS 1.6 3.2 Grades 6, 7 and SEO 2.2 3 HEO and EO 5.1 6 AO and AA 4.7 6 Key:
SCS: Senior Civil Service.
SEO: Senior Executive Officer.
EO: Executive Officer.
AA: Administrative Assistant.
Grade 6,7: Senior management grades.
HEO: Higher Executive Officer.
AO: Administrative Officer.