§ Lord Clark of Kempstonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What help is to be made available from the Access to Work programme to disabled people who are self employed.
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Lord Henley)In my statement on 26th March, LordsOfficial Report col. WA 129–131, I announced an increase in the budget and the operational arrangements for the Access to Work programme in 1996–97. I also said that particular factors applied in the case of the self-employed, and that the help to be provided to them would be considered further.
From 1st June, Access to Work will meet up to 90 per cent. of approved costs over a threshold of £100 per year for all new applications. This means that a greater proportion of costs will be met than for employees generally. The programme will also provide 100 per cent. of all approved costs in excess of £10,000 over three years. In addition to this, existing commitments for the self employed will continue to be met for a transitional period of three years.
All other arrangements will be in line with the announcement made on 26th March.