Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that insurance requirements do not prevent (a) deaf and (b) other disabled people from entering employment.

This question has been interpreted to be about Employers’ Liability Compulsory Insurance (ELCI).

The Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 requires most employers to insure against liability for injury or disease to their employees arising out of that employment.

ELCI insures employers against the costs of compensation for those employees who are injured or made ill at work through the fault of their employer. It provides greater security to firms against costs which could otherwise result in financial difficulty; and to employees that resources will be available for compensation even where firms have become insolvent.

There is nothing to suggest that requiring an employer to have compulsory insurance prevents deaf and other disabled people from entering employment.

As the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, I am the champion for disabled people, and work with colleagues across Government to help ensure that disabled people can enjoy full equality of experience and participation across society.