Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Justin Tomlinson and Mike Wood

Monday 1st February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Justin Tomlinson]

First of all, the £870 million discretionary housing payments fund has been set aside for this Parliament. The one in four looking to downsize will be welcome news to the 241,000 families in overcrowded accommodation and the 1.7 million on the housing waiting list.

[Mike Wood (Dudley South) (Con)]

What guidance is being made available to local authorities on the use of discretionary housing payments so that we can make sure that in exceptional cases, such as when homes have been adapted for disability, they can benefit from the additional money that has been made available?

[Justin Tomlinson]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising that point, which goes to the very heart of it: it provides the flexibility to allow local authorities to work with organisations such as the police, social services and medical professionals. The Local Government Association recently said:

“Councils can bring local services together in a way central government will never be able to in order to ensure no-one falls through the cracks.”

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Justin Tomlinson and Mike Wood

Monday 7th September 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mike Wood (Dudley South) (Con)]

T2. Despite being diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica mid-way through her degree course, my constituent Amy Green successfully completed her course and now hopes to set up her own business. What support is available for people with disabilities who want to start their own business?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Justin Tomlinson)]

As someone who ran my own business for 10 years, I wish my hon. Friend’s constituent the very best of luck. The Government have helped over 28,000 people through the new enterprise allowance, and through the Access to Work scheme specific training and specialist support can be provided to people with disabilities.