§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
What recent representations the Deparment for Work and Pensions has received from Rehab UK about the future of its Tyne and Wear Brain Injury Centre; and what action they are taking. [HL270]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Hollis of Heigham)Jobcentre Plus purchases places from Rehab UK as one element of the work preparation programme. and signed a contract with it on 1 October 2002 for the supply of brain injury rehabilitation services from its Tyne and Wear centre. My right honourable friend the Minister for Work has recently received a letter from the chairman of Rehab UK.
Jobcentre Plus must ensure balanced provision from the work preparation programme for disabled people with a range of different needs, and increased funding for those with brain injuries would have a disproportionate impact on its ability to provide support for people with other disabilities. Jobcentre Plus will continue to review expenditure from the work preparation budget throughout this financial year.