§ 31. Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement concerning the support available through the new deal to disabled people with communication difficulties. [58399]
§ Mr. TimmsPeople taking part in the New Deal for Disabled People will have access to the range of disability programmes currently provided by the Employment Service. This includes the Access to Work Programme which provides tailored support for people with communication difficulties.
§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimate he has made of the number of personal advisers which will be required for the implementation of the single benefit gateway; [58766]
(2) what estimate he has made of the cost of training and maintaining a personal adviser under the single benefit gateway; [58748]
(3) what targets he plans to set for the ratio of benefit claimants to personal advisers. [58749]
§ Angela EagleThe single gateway will be piloted in 12 locations, commencing in June 1999.
One of the main reasons for piloting this initiative before introduction nationally is to estimate the number of staff required to meet our objective of ensuring all benefit claimants of working age have access to a personal adviser.
§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what sanctions will be imposed on those who do not attend the initial interview under the single benefit gateway. [58765]
§ Angela EagleI refer the hon. Member to the Written Answer I gave my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 3 November 1998,Official Report, column 552.