§ 21. Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what support his Department is giving to help those with disabilities to get back into work. [36347]
29. Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to help disabled people back into work. [36355]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownWe have introduced a range of measures to help people with disabilities secure work where they are ready and able to do so.
Our new deal for disabled people pilots helped over 8,200 disabled people into work. Building on that success we have now introduced a national network of job brokers.
We are making work possible for people with disabilities by removing benefit barriers. From April we are introducing new, fairer and more flexible work rules for people receiving incapacity benefit. We are making work pay through the disabled person's tax credit and the national minimum wage.
Jobcentre Plus offers disabled people making new or repeat claims to benefit work-focused meetings with a personal adviser so as to ensure they are aware of the help and opportunities available to them.