HC Deb 25 November 1997 vol 301 c535W
Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the entitlement to benefits of those who agree to participate in Welfare to Work for long-term sick and disabled schemes. [17724]

Mr. Denham

I shall let the hon. Member have such information as is available as soon as possible.

Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the welfare to work for the long-term sick and disabled pilot schemes. [17648]

Mr. Denham

The Government believe that work is the best form of welfare for people of working age. We are committed to improving opportunities for sick and disabled people who want to work.

We will use the £195 million to fund innovative schemes which will explore how best to help sick and disabled people into work. We want to encourage an imaginative approach. We do not wish to constrain ideas at this stage but schemes could for example provide services along the following lines: improved advice; rehabilitation; work trials; skills training; adaption to the workplace; job-coaching and employer mentoring; improved employer and medical services sickness management; and assessment and placement schemes. We hope to launch a tendering exercise by the turn of the year and to select the first schemes in spring 1998.