Written Question
Tuesday 28th March 2023
Asked by:
Andrew Jones (Conservative - Harrogate and Knaresborough)
Question
to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent progress his Department has made on increasing processing times for access to work applications made by disabled people.
Answered by Tom Pursglove
Access to Work have recruited more people and redeployed existing colleagues to support the processing of applications. We have also reviewed our processes and looked to streamline, where we can, to speed up decision making. Alongside that, we are continuing to transform the service through digitalisation and aim to introduce an online claims portal and an improved application process in the Spring. Whilst we still have a number of newer colleagues in training, these activities are showing positive results with an improvement in processing times and increases in clearances.
Written Question
Monday 6th March 2023
Asked by:
Andrew Jones (Conservative - Harrogate and Knaresborough)
Question
to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to help disabled people find employment.
Answered by Tom Pursglove
There are a range of Government initiatives supporting disabled people, and people with health conditions, to start, stay and succeed in work. These include:
- Increasing Work Coach support in Jobcentres for people with health conditions receiving Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance;
- Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres offering advice and expertise on how to help disabled people and people with health conditions into work;
- The Work and Health Programme and Intensive Personalised Employment Support, providing tailored and personalised support for participants;
- Access to Work grants towards extra costs of working beyond standard reasonable adjustments;
- Disability Confident encouraging employers to think differently about disability and health, and to take positive action to address the issues employees face in the workplace;
- The Information and Advice Service providing better integrated and tailored guidance on supporting and managing health and disability in the workplace; and
- Support in partnership between DWP and the health system, including Employment Advice in NHS Talking Therapies services, which combines psychological treatment and employment support for people with mental health conditions.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 11 Jul 2022
Oral Answers to Questions
"7. What further steps the Government plan to take to help increase the number of disabled people in work. ..."Andrew Jones - View Speech
View all Andrew Jones (Con - Harrogate and Knaresborough) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 11 Jul 2022
Oral Answers to Questions
"My office is part of the Disability Confident scheme started by the Department. I strongly support the scheme because it encourages employers to think differently about disability, and to take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people in their workplace. How will my hon. Friend work …..."Andrew Jones - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 21 Mar 2022
Oral Answers to Questions
"T3. If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities...."Andrew Jones - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 21 Mar 2022
Oral Answers to Questions
"The excellent team at my local Jobcentre Plus have briefed my office that they have placed 163 young people in Harrogate in work through the Government’s kickstart programme. Will the Secretary of State ensure that the new Way to Work scheme builds on that, especially in sectors where we are …..."Andrew Jones - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 08 Nov 2021
Oral Answers to Questions
"My right hon. Friend is aware that Harrogate has been the location for the pilot work on the managed migration from legacy benefits. Is she able to update the House on how that is going? Before the pandemic, it was going very well indeed. Is she now in a position …..."Andrew Jones - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 08 Mar 2021
Oral Answers to Questions
" What assessment she has made of the effect of the removal of the requirement that kickstart applicants bid to deliver a minimum of 30 jobs on the accessibility of that scheme to a wider range of employers. ..."Andrew Jones - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 08 Mar 2021
Oral Answers to Questions
"In Harrogate and Knaresborough, we have seen great organisations such as St Michael’s Hospice with North Yorkshire Hospice Care offer 30 roles in support services, from retail to catering, care and communications. Not everywhere is fortunate enough to have such a progressive organisation, so the policy change is welcome. I …..."Andrew Jones - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 30 Nov 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
" What steps her Department is taking to support universal credit claimants as a result of restrictions on face-to face appointments during the covid-19 outbreak. ..."Andrew Jones - View Speech
View all Andrew Jones (Con - Harrogate and Knaresborough) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions