§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent measures he has taken to increase opportunities for disabled persons seeking employment. [28923]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownWe have introduced a range of measures to help people with disabilities secure work where they are ready and able to do so.
Our new deal for disabled people pilots helped over 8,200 disabled people into work. Building on that success we now have in place a national network of job brokers.
We are making work possible for people with disabilities by removing benefit barriers and allowing people to take part in work trials and work placements. We are making work pay through the disabled person's tax credit and the national minimum wage.
Jobcentre Plus offers disabled people making new or repeat claims to benefit work-focused meetings with a personal adviser so as to ensure they are aware of the help and opportunities available to them.
From autumn this year we are introducing the job retention and rehabilitation pilot. It will test how making better co-ordinated, earlier health or employment interventions can help people stay in work and off benefits.