Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Timms Excerpts

Wednesday 28th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Owen (Luton North) (Lab)]

5. What recent progress she has made with Cabinet colleagues on improving access to work for people with disabilities.

[The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)]

Our Pathways to Work guarantees will tackle the unnecessary barriers that keep disabled people out of work, Connect to Work employment support will be nationwide by April, last week we expanded WorkWell, and regular meetings of the lead Ministers on disability ensure cross-Government working.

[Sarah Owen]

Nearly half of disabled people in the UK say that they feel it is harder to get or keep a job. It is even worse for those with learning disabilities—just 6% find their way into the workplace. The problem is not just employer discrimination; it is the UK’s infrastructure. Three in four train stations are not step-free. Stations such as mine in Leagrave are completely out of bounds for people who are physically disabled. What is the Minister doing to ensure that cross-departmental working meets the need of disabled people to access public spaces and the workforce?

[Sir Stephen Timms]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right: the disability employment gap is too big. Every Department has a lead Minister on disability and I chair regular meetings. The Minister for Roads and Buses champions disabled people at the Department for Transport, and the rail accessibility road map sets out planned improvements for disabled people ahead of the establishment of Great British Railways.

[Vikki Slade (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD)]

My constituent Becky relies on Access to Work, but her application was denied and it has taken eight months just to receive an acknowledgement of her complaint to the Independent Case Examiner. We cannot progress an ombudsman claim until that is dealt with. What is the Department for Work and Pensions doing to arrange for complaints to be dealt with more quickly so that people can get back into work?

[Sir Stephen Timms]

I would be grateful if the hon. Lady would let me have a note on the hold-up with that particular complaint. There are delays with Access to Work, reflecting the big surge in demand for it, and that is why we have proposed reform. We have consulted on reform, and we will come back with our proposals quite soon.

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

6. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support women who are disproportionately affected by long-term health conditions.