§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made of the success of rehabilitation programmes in Greater Manchester for helping chronically sick and disabled people to obtain and retain employment; and whether they have any plans to put in place a framework of responsibility to guarantee long-term funding support for approved projects for such help from local agencies. [HL4291]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)There are a number of schemes across Manchester which are successful in helping chronically sick and disabled people to obtain and retain employment. These include Breakthrough UK, who are working with people with learning disabilities as well as those with physical disabilities. In addition, Manchester City Council has recently received approval for a European Social Fund bid for the rehabilitation of mental health users, to enable them to return to work.164WA This will be managed by the Manchester Mental Health Partnership. A similar scheme for learning disability users is being currently implemented.
However, while it is the responsibility of individual health and local authorities to provide appropriate services for their residents, the Departments of Health requires all councils, with their National Health Service and other partners, to prepare Welfare to Work Joint Investment Plans by 31 March 2001.