Michael Tomlinson – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Michael Tomlinson on 2015-12-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Government is taking to increase the number of disabled people in work in (a) Dorset and (b) the South West.

Justin Tomlinson

In the last two years, the number of disabled people in work has increased by 339,000. But we recognise that the gap between the employment rates of disabled people and non disabled people remains too large. That is why we are committed to halving it.

The Spending Review announced a real terms funding increase to help people with health conditions and disabilities return to, and remain in, work.

In the South West, disabled people who want to work can get support from Jobcentre Plus and a range of employment programmes such as Work Programme, Work Choice and Specialist Employment Support. Access to Work provides additional support for individuals whose health or disability affects the way they do their job.

To support and increase the number of disabled people into employment we are offering a more tailored personalised package of employment support in Greater Wessex which includes Dorset. The Personalisation Pathfinder provides disabled people in Greater Wessex with a more personalised and flexible employment support package that puts the individual at the heart of the employment offer.