§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many(a) deaf, (b) blind and (c) deaf-blind people have applied for the Access to Work scheme in each year since its introduction; and how many have been successful in their application; how many appeals against refusals were lodged; how many were found in favour of the claimant since the introduction of the scheme; and how many people are receiving support under the Access to Work scheme. [140513]
§ Maria EagleThe information requested is not routinely collected and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The total number of people receiving Access to Work support in 2002–03 was 36,606; of these 15,199 were new applicants.
§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what initiatives he is planning to increase(a) awareness and (b) uptake of the Access to Work scheme. [140515]
§ Maria EagleInformation on all our disability services is available from Jobcentre Plus offices, and is also available on the Jobcentre Plus web site (www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk). The web address is included in our publicity material.
Jobcentre Plus invests around £300,000 each year on marketing and publicising its specialised services and programmes for disabled people, including Access to Work. Promotional material is available in a range of media such as leaflets, audiotapes and videos.
Disability Employment Advisers meet regularly with local employers to promote the full range of services available to disabled people, including Access to Work. In addition, many organisations for disabled people 552W actively promote Access to Work to their members, and some also include information about the programme on their website.
The number of people helped through Access to Work has increased year on year since 1996. In 1997–98, 12,825 people received support; that had risen to 36,606 in 2002–03.