Asked by: John Baron (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps the Government and NHS have taken to improve research, treatment and outcomes for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Answered by Jo Churchill - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Government published the new United Kingdom Rare Diseases Framework in January 2021, outlining the key priorities for rare diseases including improving access to specialist care, treatments and drugs. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has published guidance recommending ataluren for the treatment of eligible patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, subject to a managed access agreement which has recently been extended from July 2021 to January 2023.
Since 2018, the National Institute for Health Research has directly funded four studies relating to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in addition to providing infrastructure support to 86 studies.
Asked by: Rushanara Ali (Labour - Bethnal Green and Bow)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the announcement by his Department on 4 March 2021 of funding for accessible toilets under the Changing Places scheme, when his Department plans to provide further information on the application process for that funding.
Answered by Luke Hall - Minister of State (Education)
District and Unitary Authorities in England will receive full details of how they can access this funding soon. Local authorities will be invited to 'opt in' to receive a proportion of this £30 million funding to install facilities in their communities and boost the number of Changing Place toilets in existing buildings.
This programme will be delivered in partnership with the charity Muscular Dystrophy UK who will be supporting local authorities in their delivery and are undertaking the largest consultation to date with users of Changing Places toilets in England to help develop our understanding of user needs and priorities.
In the meantime, local authorities are encouraged to consider where Changing Places toilets are most needed in their communities and are encouraged to begin identifying and working in partnership with other organisations who may help to deliver these facilities.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to provide more accessible toilets in town centres.
Answered by Luke Hall - Minister of State (Education)
Public toilets are a valuable community amenity that allow all members of the community to access vital services in our towns and high streets. This Government recognises the important role they play and as a result, has provided a broad range of support to not only maintain access to these vital facilities throughout the pandemic but is also taking steps to increase provision of accessible, Changing Places toilets.
At Budget 2018, we offered 100 per cent business rates relief for public toilets across England supporting local authorities, in their responsibility for opening, maintaining and overseeing toilet provision in their area.
As we begin to return to normality following COVID-19 restrictions, the Government has further supported local authorities to increase toilet provision and support repair, maintenance and enhanced cleaning regimes through the £56 million Welcome Back Fund. This funding is available to all areas of the Country and has helped to ensure a safe and successful return to our high streets and town centres.
In addition, we are soon to launch the £30 million Changing Places programme. Delivered in partnership with the charity Muscular Dystrophy UK, this programme will substantially increase the provision of Changing Places accessible toilets in existing buildings across England, allowing people who need these facilities to get out and about, and enjoy the day-to-day activities many of us take for granted.
Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Stamford)
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 help ensure that (a) public and (b) hospitality venue toilet facilities accessible for people with hidden disabilities and disabled children.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government, via the Cabinet Office Disability Unit, is supporting the British Standards Institute in its development of a public information symbol to support disabled people with non-visible disabilities.
The Government has consulted on proposals to increase the number of Changing Places toilet facilities through mandating them in a range of public buildings, using the statutory building regulations framework. Changing Places toilets meet the needs of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well as people with other physical disabilities such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds North West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what training on the fluctuating conditions of muscular dystrophy is provided to assessors of (a) personal independence payment, (b) universal credit and (c) employment support allowance.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
All health professionals carrying out assessments are clinically qualified and registered practitioners in their own field. DWP requires health professionals to have a broad training in disability analysis as well as awareness training in specific conditions, which includes Muscular Dystrophy. While preparing to undertake an assessment, health professionals have access to a range of resources as well as experienced clinicians to support them in assessing individuals with conditions that they may not be familiar with. Additionally, assessment providers engage with medical experts, charities and relevant stakeholders to strengthen their training programmes.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds North West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department has taken help claimants with muscular dystrophy complete forms for (a) personal independence payment, (b) universal credit and (c) employment support allowance.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
PIP claims are assessed on the basis of functional need rather than health condition.
UC and ESA do not categorise referrals for a Work Capability Assessment by condition. Information on how a health condition affects their ability to perform everyday tasks is gathered by asking claimants to complete UC50/ESA50 (Limited Capability for Work Questionnaire).
In PIP, UC and ESA there are no specific claims processes designed for individual health conditions such as muscular dystrophy however the Department takes seriously the need to support vulnerable claimants with form completion as follows:
a) For PIP
As part of the PIP New Claims processes all customers, including those with muscular dystrophy, are asked if they have the support they need to make their claim and complete the application process. Claimants are offered additional support where appropriate and this is noted on their records to ensure they continue to receive the support they need throughout the PIP process.
b) For UC
If a claimant needs help with the completion of the UC50 there is help available from the Health Assessment Advisory Service.
We want the application process for Universal Credit to be as quick and easy as possible to ensure that claimants receive their money at the earliest opportunity. Comprehensive support is available to claimants to use our digital service, however we recognise there will be occasions when people are unable to make or maintain their claim online, so telephone support is available.
Universal Credit has been designed with a diverse range of claimants in mind and in these instances where digital access is not possible, information normally available through a claimant’s online account will be communicated in an alternative format, which is best suited to an individual’s circumstances. The initial verification can include a home visit to support a claimant with making their claim and completing any other administrative tasks required to ensure that they receive the correct payment.
Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland have supported over 200,000 individuals through ‘Help to Claim’ since April 2019, offering tailored and practical support to help people make a Universal Credit claim up to receiving their first full correct payment on time. ‘Help to Claim’ is available online, on the phone and face-to-face in locations including Jobcentres and Citizen’s Advice Bureaux.
c) For ESA
For new claims to ESA, assistance with form completion takes place over the telephone. For New Style ESA claims, Visiting Officer support is available to help complete claim forms if this cannot be done through support from family, friends and 3rd parties or via support from a Work Coach in the Jobcentre.
If a claimant needs help with the completion of the ESA50 there is help available from the Health Assessment Advisory Service - if the claimant is deemed vulnerable we can consider requesting support by means of a DWP Visiting Officer.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the implications for her policies of Muscular Dystrophy UK's report entitled, Below standard: MDUK’s assessment of the benefits system, published on 28 February 2020.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department places a strong emphasis on engaging with stakeholders to inform health and disability policy to ensure we are addressing the right problems in the welfare system. Muscular Dystrophy UK’s report entitled ‘Below standard: MDUK’s assessment of the benefits system’ offers insights into the challenges faced by people living with muscle-wasting conditions.
Government will reflect carefully on these findings in the DWP Green Paper on health and disability benefits and support.
Asked by: Baroness Stroud (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the most common physical impairments to employment.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
The table shows the numbers of disabled people in or out of work, and the employment rate of disabled people by main physical health condition in the UK in April to June 2017. The most common physical conditions for disabled people in and out of work are musculoskeletal conditions.
| In work (000s) | Out of work (000s) | Total disabled people (000s) | Disabled employment rate (%) | |
Problems or disabilities (including arthritis or rheumatism) connected with arms or hands | 246 | 212 | 458 | 53.7 | |
Problems or disabilities (including arthritis or rheumatism) connected with back or neck | 585 | 452 | 1,036 | 56.4 | |
Problems or disabilities (including arthritis or rheumatism) connected with legs or feet | 432 | 333 | 765 | 56.5 | |
Difficulty in seeing | 47 | 38 | 85 | 54.9 | |
Difficulty in hearing | 40 | 24 | 65 | 62.3 | |
Severe disfigurements, skin conditions, allergies | 53 | 30 | 82 | 64.0 | |
Chest or breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis | 235 | 198 | 433 | 54.4 | |
Heart, blood pressure or blood circulation problems | 203 | 210 | 412 | 49.1 | |
Stomach, liver, kidney or digestive problems | 217 | 143 | 361 | 60.3 | |
Diabetes | 142 | 117 | 259 | 55.0 | |
Epilepsy | 26 | 66 | 92 | 28.0 | |
Progressive illness not included elsewhere (e.g. cancer, multiple sclerosis, symptomatic HIV, Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy) | 157 | 259 | 416 | 37.7 | |
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Total with a physical health condition | 2,381 | 2,082 | 4,463 | 53.4 |
Source: Characteristics of disabled people in employment, DWP/DHSC, Table 4, April to June 2017
Notes:
Asked by: Baroness Stroud (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to conduct an audit to determine the most common physical impairments to employment; and when any such audit may take place.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
The table shows the numbers of disabled people in or out of work, and the employment rate of disabled people by main physical health condition in the UK in April to June 2017. The most common physical conditions for disabled people in and out of work are musculoskeletal conditions.
| In work (000s) | Out of work (000s) | Total disabled people (000s) | Disabled employment rate (%) | |
Problems or disabilities (including arthritis or rheumatism) connected with arms or hands | 246 | 212 | 458 | 53.7 | |
Problems or disabilities (including arthritis or rheumatism) connected with back or neck | 585 | 452 | 1,036 | 56.4 | |
Problems or disabilities (including arthritis or rheumatism) connected with legs or feet | 432 | 333 | 765 | 56.5 | |
Difficulty in seeing | 47 | 38 | 85 | 54.9 | |
Difficulty in hearing | 40 | 24 | 65 | 62.3 | |
Severe disfigurements, skin conditions, allergies | 53 | 30 | 82 | 64.0 | |
Chest or breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis | 235 | 198 | 433 | 54.4 | |
Heart, blood pressure or blood circulation problems | 203 | 210 | 412 | 49.1 | |
Stomach, liver, kidney or digestive problems | 217 | 143 | 361 | 60.3 | |
Diabetes | 142 | 117 | 259 | 55.0 | |
Epilepsy | 26 | 66 | 92 | 28.0 | |
Progressive illness not included elsewhere (e.g. cancer, multiple sclerosis, symptomatic HIV, Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy) | 157 | 259 | 416 | 37.7 | |
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Total with a physical health condition | 2,381 | 2,082 | 4,463 | 53.4 |
Source: Characteristics of disabled people in employment, DWP/DHSC, Table 4, April to June 2017
Notes:
Asked by: Mary Glindon (Labour - North Tyneside)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies on the national disability strategy of the recommendations in Muscular Dystrophy UK’s report on disability benefits, entitled Below standard.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department places a strong emphasis on engaging with stakeholders to inform health and disability policy to ensure we are addressing the right problems in the welfare system. Muscular Dystrophy UK’s report entitled ‘Below standard: MDUK’s assessment of the benefits system’ offers insights into the challenges faced by people living with muscle-wasting conditions.
Government will reflect carefully on these findings as part of the National Disability Strategy, which will be published by the end of the year, and in the DWP Green Paper on health and disability benefits and support.