HC Deb 26 June 2003 vol 407 cc957-8W
Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on recent charges in the management of advisory and support services offered by his Department to disabled people seeking employment. [118545]

Mr. Browne

Disability Employment Advisers (DEAs) have a key role under Jobcentre Plus, both in providing direct support for those disabled people and employers who need their specialist expertise and in supporting other advisers. To ensure better integration with other services, DEAs are now the responsibility of Jobcentre Plus District Managers.

In addition, our Green Paper "Pathways to Work" (CM 5690) outlined proposals to pilot new teams of specialist advisers to support those on incapacity benefits, building upon best practice within Jobcentre Plus. Existing DEAs will form the core the new teams, which will be able to maintain good contact with clients through a series of early and on-going work-focused interviews, and facilitate better referrals to new and existing provision.

Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to increase funding by social enterprises to help more disabled people obtain labour market placements and longer term employment; and if he will make a statement. [119159]

Maria Eagle

The Department does not give any direct funding to social enterprises. However, social enterprises can act as Providers of Jobcentre Plus programmes.

The Social Enterprise Unit, which is based in the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), provides the focal point for strategic decision-making on social enterprise across Government. The Unit is in DTI in recognition of the contribution that social enterprises can make to the business landscape in the UK, and to the nation's economy, through their enterprise, innovation, competitiveness and social inclusivity.

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