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57887

registered interest
date	04/06/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will amend the access to work scheme to enable deaf people to employ a full-time salaried support worker.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
uin	198733
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/06/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p>The Access to Work programme currently allows for support to be organised in this way if it offers the most cost effective and practical solution and there is clear customer need for that level of support. We are taking a close look at the Access to Work programme over the next three months, focussing on how we can assist the largest number of disabled paople in work. We will incude in that process a consideration of how best to address the needs of customers requiring support for a large number of hours each week on an on-going basis.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning question first answered 11/06/2014 16:50:29 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

63984

registered interest
date	25/06/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many complaints his Department has received on the Access to Work scheme in each of the last five years.
tabling member constituency	Hyndburn
tabling member printed	Graham Jones
uin	202349
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>Access to Work complaints are handled in accordance with the DWP two tier complaints process. The figures that are available since the introduction of that process are:</p><p><strong> </strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="4"><p><strong>Customer complaints received</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2011/12 (Q4 only)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2012/13</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2013/14</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Number of complaints</p></td><td><p>121</p></td><td><p>75</p></td><td><p>157</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning question first answered 30/06/2014 15:58:07 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
tabling member	3999 label Biography information for Graham P Jones

58147

registered interest
date	04/06/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the cost of providing a BSL interpreter for each individual needing one to fill an access to work position adequately.
tabling member constituency	Wirral South
tabling member printed	Alison McGovern
uin	199095
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/06/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>Access to Work is a discretionary grant award designed to assist disabled people and their employers to overcome individual barriers encountered at work. We assess thecosts for all awards, including those for BSL interpreter support, against the specific needs of individual customers. As such, there is no single estimate of the cost of the support the scheme provides. <strong>     </strong></p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning question first answered 09/06/2014 15:23:41 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
tabling member	4083 label Biography information for Alison McGovern

61453

registered interest
date	11/06/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many disabled entrepreneurs have been able to access additional support funding through the Access to Work programme.
tabling member constituency	Windsor
tabling member printed	Adam Afriyie
uin	200306
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>In the financial year April 2013 – March 2014 DWP supported 4066 disabled customers who are registered as self employed through the Access to Work programme. Of which 57 customers were also from The New Enterprise Allowance programme.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning question first answered 18/06/2014 15:48:40 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
tabling member	1586 label Biography information for Adam Afriyie

66222

registered interest
date	07/07/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many disabled people entered the Access to Work scheme in each year since 2004.
tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
tabling member printed	Kate Green
uin	204256
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>Information on the number of individuals helped by the Access to Work scheme each year are only available back to 2007, and up to Q3 (31<sup>st</sup> December 2013). The requested information is already published from 2007 onwards, and can be found within table 1 on page 8 of the latest publication at the link below:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/303353/access-to-work-statistics-april-2014.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/303353/access-to-work-statistics-april-2014.pdf</a></p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning question first answered 10/07/2014 14:38:47 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

60702

registered interest
date	09/06/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what impact assessment he made before introducing the 30 hour rule in the criteria for the access to work grant; and what impact assessment is now being made.
tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire North
tabling member printed	Jim Sheridan
uin	199582
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>Once the Access to Work review is completed a full impact assessment will be conducted.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning question first answered 16/06/2014 14:47:03 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
tabling member	1464 label Biography information for Jim Sheridan

58413

registered interest
date	05/06/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK have received support through the Access to Work scheme in each of the last three years.
tabling member constituency	Banff and Buchan
tabling member printed	Dr Eilidh Whiteford
uin	199328
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/06/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>Please see figures for the last full three financial years for which data is avaiable:</p><p>Numbers helped by Access to Work support in Scotland:</p><p>2010/11: 2,800</p><p>2011/12: 2,510</p><p>2012/13: 2,500</p><p> </p><p>Numbers helped by Access to Work support in Great Britain:</p><p>2010/11: 35,820</p><p>2011/12: 30,780</p><p>2012/13: 31,500</p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning question first answered 11/06/2014 11:15:10 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
tabling member	3911 label Biography information for Dr Eilidh Whiteford

58414

registered interest
date	05/06/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what funding has been provided to disabled people in Scotland and the UK through the Access to Work scheme in each of the last three years.
tabling member constituency	Banff and Buchan
tabling member printed	Dr Eilidh Whiteford
uin	199329
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/06/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>Please see figures for the last full three financial years for which data is available</p><p>Access to Work programme spend in Scotland:</p><p>2010/11: £6.5m</p><p>2011/12: £6.0m</p><p>2012/13: £5.9m</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work programme spend in Great Britain:</p><p>2010/11: £105.5m</p><p>2011/12: £98.3m</p><p>2012/13: £99.0m</p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning question first answered 11/06/2014 10:40:09 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
tabling member	3911 label Biography information for Dr Eilidh Whiteford

60700

registered interest
date	09/06/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of changes to the time taken to review applications for deaf people during the three month suspension of the 30 hour rule in the access to work grant.
tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire North
tabling member printed	Jim Sheridan
uin	199580
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The 30 hour guidance will not be applied to new applicants during this suspension. Existing customers whose support has been changed as a result of the guidance can request a full review of their situation.</p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning question first answered 16/06/2014 14:18:22 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
tabling member	1464 label Biography information for Jim Sheridan

66225

registered interest
date	07/07/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what methodology is used by his Department to assess the comparative costs and benefits of the Access to Work scheme.
tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
tabling member printed	Kate Green
uin	204252
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The Department's approach to the social cost-benefit analysis of employment programmes is outlined in DWP Working Paper No. 86 (available via <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/214384/WP86.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/214384/WP86.pdf</a>). The Department is currently considering the extent to which this methodology can be applied to Access to Work.</p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning question first answered 10/07/2014 14:33:55 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

91218

registered interest
date	09/09/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many disabled people have received new support from the Access to Work scheme to participate in internships, traineeships and work placements in each month since September 2013.
tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
tabling member printed	Kate Green
uin	208695
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>We do not collect data about disabled people using Access to Work as requested, therefore the information is not available.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb grouped question UIN 208692 question first answered 12/09/2014 13:04:30 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

91225

registered interest
date	09/09/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many disabled people are using Access to Work support for a (a) work trial, (b) work experience opportunity under the Youth contract, (c) supported internship, (d) traineeship and (e) pre-employment training work placement.
tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
tabling member printed	Kate Green
uin	208692
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>We do not collect data about disabled people using Access to Work as requested, therefore the information is not available.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb grouped question UIN 208695 question first answered 12/09/2014 13:04:30 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

76544

registered interest
date	08/07/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when their forthcoming review of Access to Work will be completed; and what its purpose is.
tabling member printed	Baroness Thomas of Winchester
uin	HL888
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2014 answer text <p /> <p>Access to Work is an important part of the employment support we provide for disabled people who need additional help to take up and remain in employment. I want to build on the success of this programme, which is why the Minister of State for Disabled People has said that we will look into Access to Work to focus on how we can support more disabled people within the resources available and further improve the service we offer to customers. We will set out further details shortly, which will include timescales for taking this work forward.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 15/07/2014 12:36:28 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	3785 label Biography information for Baroness Thomas of Winchester

91662

registered interest
date	11/09/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans his Department has to improve the Access to Work scheme for people with mental health problems (a) overall and (b) for work interviews; and what plans his Department has to guarantee equal access to the scheme for people with mental and physical health problems.
tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
tabling member printed	Kate Green
uin	209092
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2014 answer text <p /> <p>Access to Work now supports over 35,000 disabled people with support in work, including people with mental health conditions, either through the bespoke Mental Health Support Service (MHSS) or the main Access to Work scheme. Access to Work and the MHSS is a demand led scheme, open to all disabled people who are in paid employment, self-employed or participating in a Jobcentre Plus agreed Work Trial, irrespective of their disability. The largest increase in numbers of people being supported through Access to Work are those who have listed a mental health condition as their primary disability, with 910 people supported in 2012/13 and 1410 in 2013/14.</p><p> </p><p>Specifically regarding interview support, Access to Work offers a wide range of support for customers including those people with mental health conditions. For example, communication support should a person feel unable to communicate effectively.</p><p> </p><p>The primary route for accessing the Access to Work programme is by telephone; should a person be unable to communicate using the telephone because of mental health problems, they can use the alternative e-mail address or ask for a third party to act on their behalf to allow equal access. There are no reported difficulties with access to our services from people with a mental health condition<strong>. </strong></p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 13/10/2014 13:23:56 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

93245

registered interest
date	14/10/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, under what circumstances a deaf person can be provided with an interpreter under the Access to Work Scheme.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne East
tabling member printed	Mr Nicholas Brown
uin	210349
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2014 answer text <p /> <p>All Access to Work applications are looked at on an individual basis and support is awarded based on a person’s disability, their job role and tasks alongside the barriers they face at work. An Access to Work adviser would work closely with the applicant and their employer to identify the type, extent and appropriate level of communication support required.<strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 21/10/2014 11:04:20 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
tabling member	523 label Biography information for Mr Nicholas Brown

91580

registered interest
date	10/09/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average time taken to process financial assistance claims for specialist equipment through the Access to Work scheme was in each year since 1994.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Northfield
tabling member printed	Richard Burden
uin	208955
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2014 answer text <p /> <p>Internal management measures of operational performance for Access to Work have not been published as they are not assured. Over the 20 year data request period the planning assumptions and methodology of measurement have changed a number of times making comparisons unreliable.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 13/10/2014 11:34:12 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
tabling member	301 label Biography information for Richard Burden

91220

registered interest
date	09/09/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many new beneficiaries of the Access to Work scheme had (a) mental health conditions, (b) physical impairments and (c) sensory impairments as the main disabling condition recorded by his Department in each of the last 24 months.
tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
tabling member printed	Kate Green
uin	208696
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2014 answer text <p /> <p>The information requested is in the attached tables; numbers of new starts to Access to Work 2012-13 and 2013-14.</p><p>These figures are a breakdown of the published official statistics available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/access-to-work-statistics-on-recipients--2" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/access-to-work-statistics-on-recipients--2</a></p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 13/10/2014 14:10:47 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb attachment 1 file name UIN 208696 - New Starts Access to Work 2012-2014..pdf title New Starts Access to Work 2012-2014.
tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

57888

registered interest
date	04/06/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the evidential basis was for the decision to change the Access to Work scheme in regards to deaf people having to employ a full-time salaried support worker.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
uin	198737
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p>The Access to Work programme has not been changed in this way. No customers are required to employ a full-time support worker, their employers and support providers and we are not prescriptive on this.</p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning question first answered 11/06/2014 16:58:50 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

76543

registered interest
date	08/07/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions have taken place between government departments on the promotion of Access to Work, including the Mental Health Support Service, to apprentices and skills providers, and to National Health Service staff.
tabling member printed	Baroness Thomas of Winchester
uin	HL887
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Access to Work offers Mental Health Support Service from contracted provision delivered by Remploy. Remploy promotes that provision to employers, providers and the National Health Service. Access to Work has been extended to support people on Supported Internships, Traineeships and Work experience under the Youth Contract and has made information about Access to Work available to these providers through Department for Education and Department for Business, Innovation &amp; Skills.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 17/07/2014 14:34:55 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	3785 label Biography information for Baroness Thomas of Winchester

77752

registered interest
date	14/07/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what evaluation his Department has conducted of effects of changes made to the Access to Work scheme since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
tabling member printed	Kate Green
uin	205551
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2014 answer text <p>A formal evaluation of the changes has not been conducted; but we have made a range of positive changes over the last two years and have seen an increase in the number of people helped and an increase in expenditure.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Wirral West answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 17/07/2014 16:15:53 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

92380

registered interest
date	06/10/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government in how many cases customer complaints regarding the application and assessment process of the Access to Work scheme have led to reconsideration of the decision made.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL1942
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2014 answer text <p>Access to Work does not publish data on Service delivery performance as such data is collated for Management information only and therefore not subject to the assurance required to share with stakeholders.</p><p> </p><p>No formal assessment of awareness has taken place but all Jobcentre Plus staff learn about the Access to Work programme as part of their extensive training. In addition, all relevant sections of DWP guidance signpost staff to additional information about Access to Work. Access to Work staff also deliver either face to face or telephone based learning sessions for Jobcentre Plus colleagues on request.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work aims to make the application process accessible to all service users. Officials are currently engaging with Deaf users, disabled people's organisations and other experts to ensure that Access to Work has the best possible customer service so that we can help as many Deaf, and other disabled, people to fulfill their potential in the workplace as possible.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL1943 HL1944 question first answered 20/10/2014 13:15:08 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

92381

registered interest
date	06/10/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of Access to Work awareness training for Jobcentre Plus staff.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL1943
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2014 answer text <p>Access to Work does not publish data on Service delivery performance as such data is collated for Management information only and therefore not subject to the assurance required to share with stakeholders.</p><p> </p><p>No formal assessment of awareness has taken place but all Jobcentre Plus staff learn about the Access to Work programme as part of their extensive training. In addition, all relevant sections of DWP guidance signpost staff to additional information about Access to Work. Access to Work staff also deliver either face to face or telephone based learning sessions for Jobcentre Plus colleagues on request.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work aims to make the application process accessible to all service users. Officials are currently engaging with Deaf users, disabled people's organisations and other experts to ensure that Access to Work has the best possible customer service so that we can help as many Deaf, and other disabled, people to fulfill their potential in the workplace as possible.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL1942 HL1944 question first answered 20/10/2014 13:15:09 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

92382

registered interest
date	06/10/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will ensure that the application process for the Access to Work scheme is service-user focused, particularly with regard to deaf users.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL1944
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2014 answer text <p>Access to Work does not publish data on Service delivery performance as such data is collated for Management information only and therefore not subject to the assurance required to share with stakeholders.</p><p> </p><p>No formal assessment of awareness has taken place but all Jobcentre Plus staff learn about the Access to Work programme as part of their extensive training. In addition, all relevant sections of DWP guidance signpost staff to additional information about Access to Work. Access to Work staff also deliver either face to face or telephone based learning sessions for Jobcentre Plus colleagues on request.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work aims to make the application process accessible to all service users. Officials are currently engaging with Deaf users, disabled people's organisations and other experts to ensure that Access to Work has the best possible customer service so that we can help as many Deaf, and other disabled, people to fulfill their potential in the workplace as possible.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL1942 HL1943 question first answered 20/10/2014 13:15:09 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

92745

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Access to Work advisers have received (1) awareness training in the implications for a particular disability, and (2) training to enable them to work constructively with employers.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL1981
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2014 answer text <p>All 128 Access to Work advisers receive training which includes Disability Awareness, Decision Making, Equality &amp; Diversity, Negotiating Skills and Effective Communications. In addition, Access to Work have specialist adviser teams focussing on hearing impaired and visually impaired customers, and also a team to assist customers with mental health conditions. These teams receive additional training, which includes input from suppliers, disability charities and other disability led groups. Also as part of the standard adviser training, staff undertake Influencing Skills and Constructive Conversations training to enable them to work effectively with employers.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work advisers have standardised work instructions to help ensure consistency during the evaluation and decision making process. However, all Access to Work awards are agreed on an individual basis, taking account of a customer’s disability, job role and the barriers they are facing. Standards are monitored using a Quality Assurance Framework which includes the quality of telephone conversations with customers and employers, and the consistency and accuracy of decisions and financial awards.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work aims to contact customers within 7 working days and give 80% of all decisions in 15 working days. Time sensitive requests, such as customer support requirements at interview, are prioritised and are supported by a 5 working day service standard. Demand for Access to Work, particularly new applications, grew during 2013/14 and customer volumes continue to grow in 2014/15.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL1982 HL1983 HL1986 question first answered 23/10/2014 15:24:38 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

92746

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they are monitoring the approaches taken by Access to Work advisers during the assessment and decision-making process, and what measures they are taking to ensure consistency.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL1982
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2014 answer text <p>All 128 Access to Work advisers receive training which includes Disability Awareness, Decision Making, Equality &amp; Diversity, Negotiating Skills and Effective Communications. In addition, Access to Work have specialist adviser teams focussing on hearing impaired and visually impaired customers, and also a team to assist customers with mental health conditions. These teams receive additional training, which includes input from suppliers, disability charities and other disability led groups. Also as part of the standard adviser training, staff undertake Influencing Skills and Constructive Conversations training to enable them to work effectively with employers.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work advisers have standardised work instructions to help ensure consistency during the evaluation and decision making process. However, all Access to Work awards are agreed on an individual basis, taking account of a customer’s disability, job role and the barriers they are facing. Standards are monitored using a Quality Assurance Framework which includes the quality of telephone conversations with customers and employers, and the consistency and accuracy of decisions and financial awards.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work aims to contact customers within 7 working days and give 80% of all decisions in 15 working days. Time sensitive requests, such as customer support requirements at interview, are prioritised and are supported by a 5 working day service standard. Demand for Access to Work, particularly new applications, grew during 2013/14 and customer volumes continue to grow in 2014/15.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL1981 HL1983 HL1986 question first answered 23/10/2014 15:24:39 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

92747

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the service delivery standards for the Access to Work scheme.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL1983
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2014 answer text <p>All 128 Access to Work advisers receive training which includes Disability Awareness, Decision Making, Equality &amp; Diversity, Negotiating Skills and Effective Communications. In addition, Access to Work have specialist adviser teams focussing on hearing impaired and visually impaired customers, and also a team to assist customers with mental health conditions. These teams receive additional training, which includes input from suppliers, disability charities and other disability led groups. Also as part of the standard adviser training, staff undertake Influencing Skills and Constructive Conversations training to enable them to work effectively with employers.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work advisers have standardised work instructions to help ensure consistency during the evaluation and decision making process. However, all Access to Work awards are agreed on an individual basis, taking account of a customer’s disability, job role and the barriers they are facing. Standards are monitored using a Quality Assurance Framework which includes the quality of telephone conversations with customers and employers, and the consistency and accuracy of decisions and financial awards.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work aims to contact customers within 7 working days and give 80% of all decisions in 15 working days. Time sensitive requests, such as customer support requirements at interview, are prioritised and are supported by a 5 working day service standard. Demand for Access to Work, particularly new applications, grew during 2013/14 and customer volumes continue to grow in 2014/15.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL1981 HL1982 HL1986 question first answered 23/10/2014 15:24:39 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

92750

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to consider individual and local requirements in the provision of Access to Work support for deaf people.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL1986
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2014 answer text <p>All 128 Access to Work advisers receive training which includes Disability Awareness, Decision Making, Equality &amp; Diversity, Negotiating Skills and Effective Communications. In addition, Access to Work have specialist adviser teams focussing on hearing impaired and visually impaired customers, and also a team to assist customers with mental health conditions. These teams receive additional training, which includes input from suppliers, disability charities and other disability led groups. Also as part of the standard adviser training, staff undertake Influencing Skills and Constructive Conversations training to enable them to work effectively with employers.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work advisers have standardised work instructions to help ensure consistency during the evaluation and decision making process. However, all Access to Work awards are agreed on an individual basis, taking account of a customer’s disability, job role and the barriers they are facing. Standards are monitored using a Quality Assurance Framework which includes the quality of telephone conversations with customers and employers, and the consistency and accuracy of decisions and financial awards.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work aims to contact customers within 7 working days and give 80% of all decisions in 15 working days. Time sensitive requests, such as customer support requirements at interview, are prioritised and are supported by a 5 working day service standard. Demand for Access to Work, particularly new applications, grew during 2013/14 and customer volumes continue to grow in 2014/15.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL1981 HL1982 HL1983 question first answered 23/10/2014 15:24:39 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

60701

registered interest
date	09/06/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support will be available for deaf people whose support was reduced as a result of the 30 hour rule in the access to work grant.
tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire North
tabling member printed	Jim Sheridan
uin	199583
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2014 answer text <p>Customers can request a full review of their Access to work claim at any time.</p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning question first answered 16/06/2014 14:34:20 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
tabling member	1464 label Biography information for Jim Sheridan

92748

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they are currently engaging in dialogue with organisations, employers and individuals to guarantee best practice throughout the Access to Work scheme.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL1984
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2014 answer text <p>The Department for Work and Pensions has conducted a series of meetings and workshops this year with users, disabled people's organisations, employers and other experts to ensure that Access to Work builds on its success in a way that is sustainable and ensures that we can help as many disabled people to fulfil their potential in the workplace as possible.</p><p> </p><p>It is right that larger employers make a contribution to supporting their staff, but we are looking more widely at how we can better support employers to recruit and retain disabled people. We have already made a significant concession on cost share by exempting small employers from cost share, potentially saving businesses with fewer than 50 staff up to £2,400 for each employee who uses the scheme.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL1985 question first answered 23/10/2014 14:21:18 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

92749

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Access to Work scheme’s allocations on employers’ ability to employ large numbers of disabled employees.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL1985
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2014 answer text <p>The Department for Work and Pensions has conducted a series of meetings and workshops this year with users, disabled people's organisations, employers and other experts to ensure that Access to Work builds on its success in a way that is sustainable and ensures that we can help as many disabled people to fulfil their potential in the workplace as possible.</p><p> </p><p>It is right that larger employers make a contribution to supporting their staff, but we are looking more widely at how we can better support employers to recruit and retain disabled people. We have already made a significant concession on cost share by exempting small employers from cost share, potentially saving businesses with fewer than 50 staff up to £2,400 for each employee who uses the scheme.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL1984 question first answered 23/10/2014 14:21:19 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

91660

registered interest
date	11/09/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department has taken to increase the number of people with mental health problems who are supported by the Access to Work scheme.
tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
tabling member printed	Kate Green
uin	209094
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2014 answer text <p>The number of people who have been helped by Access to Work whose primary medical condition is a Mental Health Condition, have increased year on year from 200 (0.7% of all people helped by Access to Work) in 2007/08, to 1,410 (4.0% of all people helped by Access to Work) in 2013/14</p><p>The scheme is now supporting over 35,000 disabled people including people with mental health conditions, either through the bespoke Mental Health Support Service (MHSS) or the main Access to Work scheme.</p><p>On June 10 2014, the then Minister of State for Disabled People committed to look at Access to Work, focusing on how we can support more disabled people and further improve the service. The MHSS will be considered within this review.</p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 13/10/2014 13:48:03 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

92356

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the statement in his Department's press release of 9 December 2013 that hundreds of people would benefit from the extension of Access to Work to cover work placements, how many people have so benefited to date; and what data his Department collects to enable assessment of the effects of the changes to the scheme.
tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
tabling member printed	Kate Green
uin	209799
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2014 answer text <p>We do not hold official statistics for these figures.</p><p> </p><p>DWP publishes an annual report regarding all of the operations for the previous operational year in July, so the next publication will be July 2015.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work supported 35,450 disabled people to keep or get employment during 2013/14 (up from 31,510 in 2012/13)</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 15/10/2014 16:46:36 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

93662

registered interest
date	15/10/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will provide support from the Access to Work scheme to people with mental health problems before (a) the offer of a job or (b) a job interview to ensure parity with people with other impairments.
tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
tabling member printed	Kate Green
uin	210637
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2014 answer text <p>Whilst Access to Work has recently been extended to support some pre-employment activity such as Supported Internships, Traineeships and work experience, it is primarily designed to support those in work or those about to start work. AtW can however provide communication support at interviews including with advocacy to assist people with mental health conditions.</p><p> </p><p>Programmes such as Work Programme and Work Choice are designed to help people who are seeking work, including those with mental health conditions.</p><p> </p><p>Support for transport costs to attend a job interview would not be provided by Access to Work, however Work Coaches are able to access the Flexible Support Fund where they identify transport costs as a barrier to work</p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 21/10/2014 11:56:45 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green