§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Education -and Employment what are the estimated annual social security benefit savings from the access to work scheme in helping disabled people to obtain or remain in employment. [39991]
§ Mr. Forth[holding answer 1 November 1995]: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 8 November 1995:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about social security benefit savings resulting from the Access to Work programme.We do not calculate the social security benefit savings accruing from disabled people making use of the Access to Work programme in order to take up work. Access to Work is available to help unemployed, employed and self-employed people to take up or to stay in work. Employed people would continue to receive any in-work benefits they were entitled to as well as Access to Work 948W help. Help is given based on ability to work rather than on entitlement to a benefit so the pattern of benefit savings, if any, will be dependent on the circumstances of the individual case.I am sorry I cannot be more helpful.