§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the measures introduced to improve the working conditions of disabled worker. in Crosby over the last seven years. [160526]
§ Maria EagleWe have a number of measures in place nationally to help improve conditions for disabled people at work, as well as measures to improve their access to services generally. None of these are specific to Crosby, but all are available to disabled people who live and work there.
From 1996, the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act required most employers of 20 or more staff not to discriminate against, and to make reasonable adjustments for, disabled job applicants or employ;,es; in December 1998, we reduced this threshold to 15 employees. From October this year, the small employer exemption will be removed and most currently excluded occupations, such as police officers, fire-fighters, and partners in business partnerships will be brought within the scope of the Disability Discrimination Act employment provisions.
Jobcenter Plus runs a number of specialist programmes providing help for disabled people, including New Deal for Disabled People, Workstep, Access to Work, th Job Introduction Scheme, and Work Preparation. All these programmes provide 665W practical advice and support to disabled people and their employers to help overcome work related obstacles resulting from disability. Since 1997–98 there have been year on year increases in both numbers helped and programme spend.
To help people access appropriate help, Jobcenter Plus has established a network of Disability Service Teams. The teams are made up of Disability Employment Advisors, Access to Work Advisers and Occupational Psychologists; their services are accessed through local Jobcenters.
Since April 2003, disabled people in work have been receiving financial support through the Working Tax Credit. This is available if a person is working an average of at least 16 hours per week (self-employed or for an employer); and have a disability which puts them at a disadvantage in getting a job. 70,000 families
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Current D W P Modernisation Projects employing External Consultants Project name Brief description of the project Child Support Reform This project will implement the Child Support Reforms, involving the transformation of the existing CSA business processes and structures, through the introduction of a new IT system that supports new rules, legislation and operating model. Customer Management System This system is an information gathering business process for working age IS/JSA/IB benefit claims. It will allow information supplied by the customer to be gathered electronically by staff, improving efficiency and customer service. Staff will be able to check information supplied against that already held. The system will also support the arrangement of work-focused interviews. Debt Management The Debt Programme introduces a new organisational structure based on 10 Debt centers and a Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) package to provide new Management Information systems, combined with increased focus on the management and ultimately reduction of debt stock. Digital Office Infrastructure (formally Early Office Infrastructure) DOI aims to implement a modern IT infrastructure platform across the Department allowing access to the intranet and intranet and modern business software. New Tax Credits This project supports the implementation of new tax credits by Inland Revenue by putting a tax credits service in place for DWP customers (principally through Jobcenter Plus) and ensuring that necessary amendments are made to DWP benefits. Payment Modernisation Programme The Payment Modernisation Programme aims to establish direct payment into a bank, building society or post office card account as the normal, convenient method of payment for all customers. This includes those who wish to collect their money from the Post Office. (The national banking infrastructure was successfully implemented in April 2003 through the Universal Bank project). Pension Credit This project successfully introduced pension credit in October 2003 and aims to increase the take-up of pension credit. It will deliver new IT functionality to existing DWP systems, and associated business products (e.g. training, staff guidance, customer notifications). Pensions Transformation Programme This Programme will transform the Pension Service bringing together business and IT change in ways that improve customer and staff satisfaction and deliver efficiencies. Resource Management System This programme will provide modernised HR, financial and procurement functions for DWP staff. These systems will introduce significant business process change, enabling Departmental resources to be managed more effectively. Pensions Forecasting We have introduced a modernised IT system to support the growing numbers of combined forecasts we are producing. ISCS/JSAPS Modernisation The key objectives are to improve interfaces with other DWP systems to reduce fraud and error; reduce costly clerical interventions by improving work management systems; improve customer service by enabling staff to view on-line system generated letters; provide a modern user interface for ISCS and JSAPS. `Focus' Human Resources Modernisation Programme The Human Resources Modernisation Programme includes: HR Service center Modernisation to restructure the existing HR Service centers and consolidating Jobcenter Plus HR administration; design and delivery of a range of technologies required for the modernisation of learning and development over three-year period; a strategy to ensure delivery of effective leadership development and education to senior managers and those identified as potential leaders; review of the current payroll system to ensure it is capable of delivering changes to the DWP reward strategy. (including over 32,000 adults without children) are benefiting from the disability element within the Working Tax Credit, compared to 38,000 who benefited from the old Disabled Person's Tax Credit.