Supporting Disabled People into Work

17 Mar

Question

The parliamentary question session on supporting disabled people into work focused on assessing the welfare system's adequacy in aiding disabled individuals to find employment. This discussion emphasized the necessity for improved support systems and the removal of systemic barriers that limit opportunities for disabled people.

Significant Contributions:

Assessment of the Welfare System: Liz Kendall highlighted a survey indicating that a substantial proportion of disabled individuals have the aspiration to work, demonstrating a demand for supportive frameworks. She emphasized that the Labour Government's goal is providing equal employment opportunities for disabled persons.

200,000

Surveyed disabled individuals ready to work with the right support.

Concerns Over Flawed Assessments: David Williams shared a constituent's experiences with PIP assessments, underlining the perceived lack of empathy within the current system. He raised concerns about potential reforms causing apprehension among disabled people.

Reform on Reassessments: Sir Jeremy Wright proposed pragmatic changes to the PIP reassessment procedure to alleviate stress on individuals with long-term disabilities and streamline resources.

33%

Proportion of disabled claimants desiring to work if conditions improve.

Outcome: The session underscored a bipartisan recognition of the need for reform. While specific proposals from the Government were not detailed, there was a commitment from Liz Kendall for imminent announcements addressing concerns.

Key Statistics:

A survey revealing that 200,000 disabled individuals expressed readiness to work if adequate support is provided.
A third of disabled claimants desire employment contingent upon health improvements or job availability.

Outcome

The session primarily focused on identifying weaknesses in the current welfare system and collecting feedback from MPs to inform forthcoming government reforms. There was no immediate policy announcement, but the Government's intent to propose solutions was clear.

Key Contributions

David WilliamsMember of Parliament

Labour

Queried the adequacy of the welfare system for disabled employment support.

Liz KendallSecretary of State

Labour

Emphasized Labour's commitment to equal work opportunities for disabled individuals.

Sir Jeremy WrightMember of Parliament

Conservative

Suggested reforming the PIP reassessment process for those with unchanging conditions to reduce stress and optimize resource allocation.

Original Transcript

David Williams

Stoke-on-Trent North

Lab

Question

UIN: 903209

16. What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the welfare system in supporting disabled people into work.

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Liz Kendall

Many disabled people want to work but were written off and failed by the last Government.

Our work aspirations survey of health and disability claimants found that a third wanted to work at some point in the future if their health improved or the right job was available, and 200,000 said that they would work now if they got the right support.

This Government will ensure that disabled people who can work have the same rights and chances to work as everybody else, because that principle of equality is what this Labour Government are for.

David Williams

Christopher, a resident of Talke in my constituency, was badly let down by a flawed PIP assessment—one that lacked basic humanity and empathy. With reports of welfare reforms in the media, he is now deeply worried about what the future holds.

What steps will be taken to ensure that people like Christopher are treated with fairness and dignity, and given the support that they need?

Liz Kendall

I say to my hon. Friend and his constituent that treating people with dignity and respect is absolutely at the heart of this Government’s plans.

Having been a constituency MP for 14 long years under the Conservatives, I know that there will always be people who cannot work because of the severity of their disability or illness, but I also meet—day in, day out—disabled people who are denied the chance to work, for many different reasons.

That is what we want to put right, to ensure that the social security system is there for those who need it, and not just now but for years to come.

Sir Jeremy Wright

Kenilworth and Southam

Con

As the Secretary of State looks at reform, is she considering the PIP reassessment process? For people whose conditions will not get any better, would it not be sensible to relieve them of the burden of that reassessment process unless they wish to be reassessed?

That would be less distressing for them, it would save money in the system, and it would allow people who do need reassessment to be reassessed faster.

Liz Kendall

I agree with a lot of what the right hon. Gentleman says. Patience is never my greatest virtue, but I ask him and the House to be patient and to look at the full proposals, which we will put forward imminently.

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