§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what support in finding employment is given by his Department to unemployed people suffering from mental illness. [102232]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownPeople with disabilities and health problems have full access to the services of Jobcentre Plus, and are offered meetings with their personal advisers to ensure they are aware of all the help and opportunities available to them.
We have a wide range of programmes that have proved successful in helping people with disabilities, including mental health problems, secure work where they are ready and able to do so. For example, the New Deal for Disabled People is the first national employment programme focused on all Incapacity Benefit (IB) recipients. Through its network of over 60 297W Job Brokers across Great Britain the programme is proving successful, and by the end of December 2002 had helped 8,676 people into jobs.
We are also removing barriers to work within the benefit system. Anyone claiming IB can now work for up to and including £20 a week for an unlimited period or work for less than 16 hours a week and earn up to and including £67.50 a week for 26 weeks. People with conditions that may be unlikely to improve over time, such as those with severe mental health problems, will continue to be able to work and earn up to £67.50 a week for as long as they are receiving IB.
These arrangements have enabled people with many different disability-related barriers to work, including those with mental illness, to move successfully into jobs.