Asked by: Anna Sabine (Liberal Democrat - Frome and East Somerset)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to introduce a target for equal processing times for (a) employed and (b) self-employed disabled applicants to Access to Work.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Access to Work prioritises both employed, and self-employed applicants who are due to start work within the next four weeks or renewing existing grants, to minimise disruption to employment. There are not separate systems for employed and self‑employed applicants and awards are assessed on the number of hours worked for both groups of applicants. Employed applicants are assessed against their set contracted hours, and there is a cap on the number of hours that can be provided. This is different for self-employed customers, as they self-declare their number of working hours. We know that, in general, self-employed people work longer per week than employed people.
We are reviewing all aspects of Access to Work as we develop plans for reform, and ensure Access to Work is tailored to the needs of all customers.
Asked by: Anna Sabine (Liberal Democrat - Frome and East Somerset)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has conducted an equality impact assessment for prioritising employed applicants over self-employed applicants within Access to Work.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Access to Work prioritises both employed, and self-employed applicants who are due to start work within the next four weeks or renewing existing grants, to minimise disruption to employment. There are not separate systems for employed and self‑employed applicants and awards are assessed on the number of hours worked for both groups of applicants. Employed applicants are assessed against their set contracted hours, and there is a cap on the number of hours that can be provided. This is different for self-employed customers, as they self-declare their number of working hours. We know that, in general, self-employed people work longer per week than employed people.
We are reviewing all aspects of Access to Work as we develop plans for reform, and ensure Access to Work is tailored to the needs of all customers.
Asked by: Anna Sabine (Liberal Democrat - Frome and East Somerset)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of not prioritising employed applicants over self-employed applicants within Access to Work.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Access to Work prioritises both employed, and self-employed applicants who are due to start work within the next four weeks or renewing existing grants, to minimise disruption to employment. There are not separate systems for employed and self‑employed applicants and awards are assessed on the number of hours worked for both groups of applicants. Employed applicants are assessed against their set contracted hours, and there is a cap on the number of hours that can be provided. This is different for self-employed customers, as they self-declare their number of working hours. We know that, in general, self-employed people work longer per week than employed people.
We are reviewing all aspects of Access to Work as we develop plans for reform, and ensure Access to Work is tailored to the needs of all customers.
Asked by: Baroness Coffey (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government, of the new style Employment and Support Allowance applications granted in (1) 2023, (2) 2024, and (3) 2025, how many were in the work-related group for (a) poor mental health as the primary condition, and (b) for any other reason.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Initial Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Work Capability Assessment (WCA) by date of decision and group allocation being Work-Related Activity Group (WRAG):
ICD10 Medical Condition | Jan 2023 - Dec 2023 | Jan 2024 – Dec 2024 | Jan 2025 - Sept 2025* | |||
| Volume | Percentage | Volume | Percentage | Volume | Percentage |
Mental and Behavioural Disorders (F00 - F99) | 5,070 | 42% | 4,540 | 40% | 2,420 | 41% |
All Other ICD10 Medical Conditions | 6,980 | 58% | 6,860 | 60% | 3,500 | 59% |
Total | 12,050 | 100% | 11,400 | 100% | 5,920 | 100% |
* Data is taken from Stat-Xplore. Volumes have been rounded to the nearest ten. Totals may not sum due to rounding and the disclosure control applied.
* New Style ESA ‘applications’ and Work Capability Assessments (WCAs) are distinct processes, and WRAG assignment is determined only once a WCA has been completed. Not all applications proceed to a WCA, and the primary health condition as per the International Classification of Diseases (2010) classification (ICD10) used in official statistics is captured at the WCA rather than on the application form. As a result, the only robust data source for WRAG outcomes by health condition is WCA data.
* The latest available data is for September 2025. Therefore, the 2025 volumes do not cover the entire year and are not comparable to the 2023 or 2024 volumes.
* ESA Group Allocation refers to the result of the WCA decision that been adjusted for appeal outcome. The outcome recorded is the final DWP Decision Maker's decision or appeal tribunal's decision or the recommendation made by the Healthcare Professional where the Decision Maker's decision is not yet available.
* ICD Group refers to the World Health Organisations' International Classification of Diseases (2010) Condition Groups. In DWP statistics, these are sometimes referred to as medical conditions. For reporting purposes, the conditions as recorded on the Employment Support Allowance Benefit system have been mapped to reflect as closely as possible the appropriate ICD10 code. Conditions are based on evidence provided at the start of the claim, this in itself does not confer entitlement to Employment and Support Allowance and may not represent a claimant's most recent medical condition. Where someone has more than one diagnosis or disabling condition, only the predominant one is reported on in these statistics.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of people between 16 and 24 years old who are not in (1) paid work, or (2) education or training, in each of the G7 countries compared to the UK.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
This government will not leave an entire generation of young people behind. When this Government came into power there were 921,000 NEETs. This increased by 250,000 between 2021 and 2024. The number of young people not in education, employment and training (NEET) currently stands at around 957,000. For many years our young people have not had the opportunity and support they deserve and we are increasing funding and taking action in the following ways.
On 16th March, the Government announced a further £1 billion investment in young people, resulting in a total £2.5 billion over the next three years into the Youth Guarantee and additional investment in the Growth and Skills Levy. This investment will support almost one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.
This includes the delivery of eight Youth Guarantee Trailblazers in England, expansion of Youth Hubs to more than 360 areas across Great Britain and introduction of a new Youth Guarantee Gateway in Jobcentres, providing more intensive support to 16-24 year olds.
This investment will also create around 300,000 more opportunities to gain workplace experience and training. It will also help unlock up to 200,000 more employment opportunities, through a new £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant for employers who hire 18–24-year-olds who have been on Universal Credit for over six months, a new £2,000 apprenticeship incentive for small and medium sized employers hiring 16–24-year-olds and the Jobs Guarantee scheme, providing long-term unemployed 18–24-year-olds with a fully funded six month job.
The Government will also prioritise prevention, building on measures announced in the Skills White Paper. The Government will improve support in schools, monitor attendance, increase access to work experience and work with local authorities to pilot auto-enrolling young people in further education, if needed.
Together these measures demonstrate the Government’s commitment to supporting employers, partners and young people across Great Britain.
Additionally, an independent investigation has been launched to tackle the persistently high numbers of young people who are NEET. Led by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn, the report will examine why increasing numbers of young people are falling out of work or education before their careers have begun, with a particular focus on the impact of mental health conditions and disability.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of people aged between 16 and 24 years old who are not in (1) paid work, or (2) education or training.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
This government will not leave an entire generation of young people behind. When this Government came into power there were 921,000 NEETs. This increased by 250,000 between 2021 and 2024. The number of young people not in education, employment and training (NEET) currently stands at around 957,000. For many years our young people have not had the opportunity and support they deserve and we are increasing funding and taking action in the following ways.
On 16th March, the Government announced a further £1 billion investment in young people, resulting in a total £2.5 billion over the next three years into the Youth Guarantee and additional investment in the Growth and Skills Levy. This investment will support almost one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.
This includes the delivery of eight Youth Guarantee Trailblazers in England, expansion of Youth Hubs to more than 360 areas across Great Britain and introduction of a new Youth Guarantee Gateway in Jobcentres, providing more intensive support to 16-24 year olds.
This investment will also create around 300,000 more opportunities to gain workplace experience and training. It will also help unlock up to 200,000 more employment opportunities, through a new £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant for employers who hire 18–24-year-olds who have been on Universal Credit for over six months, a new £2,000 apprenticeship incentive for small and medium sized employers hiring 16–24-year-olds and the Jobs Guarantee scheme, providing long-term unemployed 18–24-year-olds with a fully funded six month job.
The Government will also prioritise prevention, building on measures announced in the Skills White Paper. The Government will improve support in schools, monitor attendance, increase access to work experience and work with local authorities to pilot auto-enrolling young people in further education, if needed.
Together these measures demonstrate the Government’s commitment to supporting employers, partners and young people across Great Britain.
Additionally, an independent investigation has been launched to tackle the persistently high numbers of young people who are NEET. Led by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn, the report will examine why increasing numbers of young people are falling out of work or education before their careers have begun, with a particular focus on the impact of mental health conditions and disability.
Asked by: Baroness Coffey (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government, what was the average length of time the Employment and Support Allowances were held for in (1) 2023, (2) 2024, and (3) 2025 for those placed (a) in the support group, and (b) in the work-related group.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The median duration for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claimants in both (a) the support group and (b) the work-related activity group was over 5 years in all three years.
Asked by: Baroness Coffey (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government, of the new style Employment and Support Allowance applications granted in (1) 2023, (2) 2024, and (3) 2025, how many were in the support group for (a) poor mental health as the primary condition, and (b) for any other reason.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Initial Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Work Capability Assessment (WCA) by date of decision and group allocation being Support Group (SG):
ICD10 Medical Condition | Jan 2023 - Dec 2023 | Jan 2024 – Dec 2024 | Jan 2025 - Sept 2025* | |||
| Volume | Percentage | Volume | Percentage | Volume | Percentage |
Mental and Behavioural Disorders (F00 - F99) | 11,520 | 21% | 11,710 | 23% | 7,060 | 21% |
All Other ICD10 Medical Conditions | 42,460 | 79% | 39,850 | 77% | 26,390 | 79% |
Total | 53,980 | 100% | 51,560 | 100% | 33,450 | 100% |
* Data is taken from Stat-Xplore. Volumes have been rounded to the nearest ten. Totals may not sum due to rounding and the disclosure control applied.
* New Style ESA ‘applications’ and Work Capability Assessments (WCAs) are distinct processes, and SG assignment is determined only once a WCA has been completed. Not all applications proceed to a WCA, and the primary health condition as per the International Classification of Diseases (2010) classification (ICD10) used in official statistics is captured at the WCA rather than on the application form. As a result, the only robust data source for SG outcomes by primary health condition is WCA data.
* The latest available data is for September 2025. Therefore, the 2025 volumes do not cover the entire year and are not comparable to the 2023 or 2024 volumes.
* ESA Group Allocation refers to the result of the WCA decision that been adjusted for appeal outcome. The outcome recorded is the final DWP Decision Maker's decision or appeal tribunal's decision or the recommendation made by the Healthcare Professional where the Decision Maker's decision is not yet available.
* ICD Group refers to the World Health Organisations' International Classification of Diseases (2010) Condition Groups. In DWP statistics, these are sometimes referred to as medical conditions. For reporting purposes, the conditions as recorded on the Employment Support Allowance Benefit system have been mapped to reflect as closely as possible the appropriate ICD10 code. Conditions are based on evidence provided at the start of the claim, this in itself does not confer entitlement to Employment and Support Allowance and may not represent a claimant's most recent medical condition. Where someone has more than one diagnosis or disabling condition, only the predominant one is reported on in these statistics.
Asked by: Baroness Altmann (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the consistency of current policy to count the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) reserves towards the Public Sector Net Fiscal Liability with the statutory purposes of the Pensions Act 2004; and whether they have sought legal advice on whether treating PPF assets as part of the public sector balance sheet for fiscal rule purposes is compatible with the statutory framework.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Office for National Statistics (ONE) is the independent body responsible for economic classification decisions in the UK. Following international statistical guidance, the ONS has classified the PPF as a public pension fund, while the levies to fund the PPF are classified as taxes.
The way the PPF Board’s assets and liabilities are treated within the public finances does not affect the legal separation of the property of the Crown and Board as set out in the Pensions Act 2004.
Asked by: Baroness Altmann (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made, if any, to the Office for National Statistics about the classification of Pension Protection Fund assets.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Office for National Statistics (ONE) is the independent body responsible for economic classification decisions in the UK. Following international statistical guidance, the ONS has classified the PPF as a public pension fund, while the levies to fund the PPF are classified as taxes.
The way the PPF Board’s assets and liabilities are treated within the public finances does not affect the legal separation of the property of the Crown and Board as set out in the Pensions Act 2004.