§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the services that will be available to a disabled person attending an interview through the Single Work-focused Gateway announced on 13 January; and how these differ from those under the Single Gateway to Work announced in "A New Contract for Welfare: The Gateway to Work" (Cm 4102). [66200]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithFor clients of working age accessing the benefit system, including people with disabilities, the work focused interview with a personal adviser will consist of an in-depth investigation of individual needs and an exploration of ways to overcome any barriers that prevent participation in the labour market. The adviser will access information on a wide range of options available locally and provide a personalised calculation of potential in-work income. The aim will be to draw up and agree a tailor-made plan of steps which the individual can take.
403WThe personal adviser will help people gain access to relevant services. Thus, for disabled people, it may be appropriate to seek the advice and support of a disability employment specialist or to get some kind of mentoring support.
The announcement on 13 January was that £79 million has been made available from the Invest to Save budget to finance the piloting of the Single Work Focused Gateway described in "A New Contract for Welfare: The Gateway to Work" (Cm 4102), which are thus one and the same.