§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many disabled people who have participated in the Workstep programme in Greater London gained employment in each year since 1999; [177061]
(2) how much was spent by his Department on the Workstep programme in Greater London in each year since 1999. [177062]
§ Maria EagleWorkstep was introduced in April 2001 to replace the former Supported Employment programme. Workstep provides support in jobs for disabled people who have more complex barriers to finding and keeping work but who, with the right support, can work effectively and develop in their job. Where it is appropriate, supported employees may also progress to unsupported employment.
1445WThe information on participants is not available in the format requested. Nationally, 1,800 people progressed into unsupported work in 2001–02; 2,144 in 2002–03 and 1,856 in 2003–04. Figures are currently not available below national level.
The Government allocated an additional £37.2 million over three years 2001–04 to expand the programme and to support providers to modernise and develop their delivery. From this sum a Workstep Modernisation Fund of £9.6 million was established in order to enable former Supported Employment Programme Providers to adapt quickly to the changes in the programme. Workstep providers in the London Region successfully submitted bids for modernisation funding totalling approximately £0.5 million.
The available information on spending is in the following table.
Workstep spend in the Long ton region Amount (—) 2001–02 2,603,839 2002–03 2,685,024 2003–04 2,439,053 Note: The figures quoted do not include the National Providers; Remploy, Shaw Trust, Scope and Employment Opportunities.