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<p>DWP has conducted a consultation to seek views on how support can best be provided,
through Personal Independence Payment (PIP), to help meet the costs of disability
faced by people who are currently awarded points due to aids and appliances. No decision
has yet been made as to whether any change should be made to the current system and
the department does not have any preference between the five options presented in
the consultation. We have also invited additional suggestions for change.</p><p> </p><p>If
the Department decides that change is required, a full equality analysis will be conducted
and considered prior to a final decision being made, in line with the Department’s
obligations under the Equality Act 2010. This will include an estimate of the number
who would be affected.</p><p> </p><p>PIP is payable both in and out of work. The Government
is committed to giving all disabled people the opportunity to fulfil their potential
and achieve their ambitions. Work is an important part of this, which is why the Government
has committed to halving the disability employment gap, requiring us to transform
policy, practice and public attitudes. The government’s award winning Disability Confident
was launched by the Prime Minister in 2013 and works to improve employer awareness
and confidence in employing, retaining and unlocking disabled people’s talents.</p><p>
</p><p>Employment programmes like Work Choice continue to help thousands of disabled
people find, start and remain in work. Since 2010, Work Choice has achieved over 39,490
job outcomes for disabled people. The Equality Act 2010 also provides statutory protection
against discrimination and applies to every stage of the recruitment process. Access
to Work offers additional support beyond an employer’s statutory duty to provide reasonable
adjustments and last year the scheme supported 36,800 disabled people in work.</p><p>
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