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1712679

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2024
	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	Employment: Disability
	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 it taking to help ensure that disabled people have access to reasonable adjustments in the workplace.
	tabling member constituency	Battersea
	tabling member printed	Marsha De Cordova
	uin	23028
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2024 answer text <p>All employers have a duty under the <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents" target="_blank">Equality Act 2010</a> to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in the workplace where a disabled person would otherwise be put at a substantial disadvantage compared with their colleagues. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Equality Act and providing guidance on reasonable adjustments.</p><p> </p><p>For disabled people who require adjustments which are beyond reasonable adjustments, Access to Work (AtW) can provide a grant for the disability related extra costs of working a disabled employee may face. To support employers an AtW case manager will contact the customer’s employer ahead of making an AtW award to offer advice on reasonable adjustments an employer can provide and the support available under the AtW scheme.</p><p> </p><p>DWP has worked with stakeholders to develop a series of Adjustments Passports and Planners to support disabled people, and those with a health condition, with the transitions into employment and between jobs. The Adjustments Passport and Planners provide individuals with an up to date document of their adjustments and working requirements and empower the holder to have more structured conversations about their disability with their employer. They also raise awareness of Access to Work, and where an application is made, help to reduce the need for another assessment, enabling support to be put in place more quickly.</p><p>The Disability Confident scheme provides employers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to attract, recruit, retain and develop disabled people in the workplace. When an employer signs-up to the Disability Confident scheme, they agree to commitments which include anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required. They also agree to support any existing employee who acquires a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work. The scheme provides resources for members including the recently published <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disability-confident-and-cipd-guide-for-line-managers-on-employing-people-with-a-disability-or-health-condition" target="_blank">Disability Confident Manager’s Guide</a> which explains how managers can make and review reasonable adjustments, consider flexible working, and includes examples of other types of adjustments.</p><p>As part of the government's response to the Health is Everyone’s Business Consultation, DWP has developed a digital service for employers, offering tailored guidance on health and disability. The service is called <a href="https://www.support-with-employee-health-and-disability.dwp.gov.uk/support-with-employee-health-and-disability" target="_blank">Support with Employee Health and Disability</a> and is live across GB, testing very well with employers. Developed with small and medium enterprise (SME) employers, using user centred design principles, the service offers a simple, interactive and highly usable resource which helps employers to feel more confident having conversations about health and disability, as well as understanding and fulfilling their legal obligations on topics such as reasonable adjustments, and signposting to sources of expert support.</p><p>The fit note includes an option to allow a healthcare professional to indicate that a patient ‘may be fit for work subject to the following advice’ and provide general details of the functional effect of the individual’s condition and recommend common types of workplace adjustments. However, over 10 million fit notes each year are issued in England without any such advice, resulting in a missed opportunity to help people get the appropriate support they may need to remain in work.</p><p>That is why we announced funding in the 2023 Autumn Statement to test new ways of providing individuals receiving a fit note with tailored support, including referral to support through their local WorkWell service pilot. To support this, we launched a Call for Evidence to seek views on how the current fit note process works and the support required to facilitate meaningful work and health conversations and help people start, stay and succeed in work.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 25/04/2024 09:52:00 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4676 label Biography information for Marsha De Cordova

1712680

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2024
	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	Medical Certificates
	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 Prime Minister’s speech on welfare of 19 April 2024, who the specialist work and health professionals are that will be responsible for issuing fit notes.
	tabling member constituency	Battersea
	tabling member printed	Marsha De Cordova
	uin	23029
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2024 answer text <p>The trailblazers announced at Autumn Statement 2023 will be delivered in NHS Integrated Care Systems and fit notes will continue to be issued by the registered healthcare professionals working within the NHS who are specified in legislation – Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists.</p><p> </p><p>Our ambition is to co-develop a new fit note process delivered through multi-disciplinary teams, bringing together the issuing of fit notes with health and work advice to support people who are at risk of falling out of work or who have already fallen out of work due to ill health.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 25/04/2024 09:54:37 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4676 label Biography information for Marsha De Cordova

1697233

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2024
	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	Personal Independence Payment
	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 his Department's publication entitled Transforming Support: The Health and Disability White Paper, published on 16 March 2023, what progress his Department has made on testing matching a Personal Independent Payment applicant’s primary health condition to a specialist assessor; and when he plans to publish the findings.
	tabling member constituency	Battersea
	tabling member printed	Marsha De Cordova
	uin	19455
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>The Health and Disability White Paper, published in March 2023, set out ambitious and extensive reforms to further support disabled people including exploring the initiative referred to as “Specialist Assessors”.</p><p>As the term “specialist” has a very specific meaning in a medical context, the decision has been made to rename the initiative to “Condition Focused Assessors” to avoid misalignment with clinical definitions. The ambition and intent of the initiative remains the same.</p><p>In September 2023, we began a small-scale test matching certain PIP claimants’ primary health condition to an existing healthcare professional (HCP) with relevant clinical experience. This test ran until January 2024, at which point it was expanded to cover claimants with multiple conditions.</p><p>We continue to work closely with key stakeholders and support organisations as we progress our testing. Initial exploratory research will be published later this year. The Health Transformation Programme looks to publish evaluation when services are suitably developed, and when findings are robust and provide a representative picture of our progress.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 26/03/2024 14:16:41 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4676 label Biography information for Marsha De Cordova

1697234

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2024
	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	Personal Independence Payment
	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 his Department's publication entitled Transforming Support: The Health and Disability White Paper, published on 16 March 2023, what progress his Department has made on the test of the feasibility of sharing assessment reports with Personal Independent Payment applicants before a decision is made; and when he plans to publish the findings.
	tabling member constituency	Battersea
	tabling member printed	Marsha De Cordova
	uin	19456
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2024 answer text <p>We are currently conducting a test to understand the impact of sharing assessment reports with PIP claimants by default. As part of the evaluation, we will gather insight from claimants to understand whether sharing the assessment report provides them with the opportunity to clarify evidence so that we can make the right decision as early as possible and improve trust and transparency in the decision-making process. Once the analysis of that insight is complete, we will consider next steps.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 25/03/2024 12:59:55 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4676 label Biography information for Marsha De Cordova

1697235

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2024
	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	Personal Independence Payment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he has taken to inform recipients of the (a) limited capability for work-related activity element of Universal Credit and (b) Employment and Support Allowance support group of their potential entitlement to Personal Independence Payment.
	tabling member constituency	Battersea
	tabling member printed	Marsha De Cordova
	uin	19457
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>DWP Work Coaches and Disability Advisers can signpost and support claimants who may be eligible for other benefits. Signposting is also performed by Citizens Advice Bureau, Disability Groups, healthcare professionals and Welfare Rights organisations.</p><p> </p><p>Information for those who want to know more about DWP benefits is also available on GOV.UK and via social media.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 26/03/2024 14:19:44 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4676 label Biography information for Marsha De Cordova

1684209

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2024
	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	Personal Independence Payment: Appeals
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 11 January 2023 to Question 7225 on Personal Independence Payment: Appeals, if he will publish the (a) number and proportion of personal independence payment claims overturned by Tribunal, broken down by primary reason, and (b) feedback provided by his Department's Presenting Officers for each of the last three years.
	tabling member constituency	Battersea
	tabling member printed	Marsha De Cordova
	uin	10905
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/01/2024 answer text <p>The table below shows the number of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) decisions overturned at Tribunal by reason between January 2021 and September 2023.</p><p>These figures are the result of a complex data match across a number of data sets. This data is unpublished data and should therefore be used with caution, as it may be subject to future revision.</p><p>To note, this information is taken from Decision Notices and recorded on the PIP computer system.</p><p>This data only provides one reason per appeal why decisions by DWP decision makers have been overturned at a tribunal hearing, and therefore may not give the full story as there may be other or multiple reasons.</p><p>Appeals data is taken from the DWP PIP computer system’s management information. Therefore, this appeal data may differ from that held by Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service for various reasons such as delays in data recording and other methodological differences in collating and preparing statistics.</p><p>As with all DWP processes, we continuously review and have made improvements to our decision-making processes to help ensure we make the right decision as early as possible in the claim journey. We have introduced a new approach to decision making at both the initial decision and the Mandatory Reconsideration stage, giving Decision Makers additional time to proactively contact customers where they think additional evidence may support the claim.</p><p>The feedback from Presenting Officers is done on a case-by-case basis and only at a local level. Whilst trends are identified to help inform future decision making - this includes feeding back to Healthcare Professionals - there are no plans to consolidate and publish the feedback in data recording and other methodological differences in collating and preparing statistics.</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td rowspan="2"><p><strong>Summary reason DWP decision<br> overturned at Tribunal hearing</strong></p></td><td colspan="3"><p><strong>Appeal Clearance Year</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2021</p></td><td><p>2022</p></td><td><p>2023 (up to September)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>New written evidence provided at hearing</p></td><td><p>400</p></td><td><p>200</p></td><td><p>300</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Cogent Oral Evidence</p></td><td><p>8,800</p></td><td><p>8,800</p></td><td><p>11,800</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Reached a Different Conclusion on<br> Substantially the Same Facts</p></td><td><p>16,300</p></td><td><p>16,700</p></td><td><p>17,500</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Other</p></td><td><p>1,900</p></td><td><p>1,900</p></td><td><p>2,000</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 30/01/2024 17:44:02 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4676 label Biography information for Marsha De Cordova

1679812

	registered interest
	date	05/01/2024
	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	Disability
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the new Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work plans to outline her priorities for supporting disabled people.
	tabling member constituency	Battersea
	tabling member printed	Marsha De Cordova
	uin	8169
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/01/2024 answer text <p>This Governments priorities on supporting disabled people remains unchanged. We will continue to build on our strong track record, which includes supporting over two million more disabled people into work</p><p> </p><p>Our multi-billion pound support plans announced at Autumn Statement will further help millions more disabled people and those with health conditions, including those with long-term sickness, to start, stay, and succeed in work.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 15/01/2024 11:39:32 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4676 label Biography information for Marsha De Cordova

1678368

	registered interest
	date	15/12/2023
	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	Personal Independence Payment: Appeals
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department holds data on the (a) outcome and (b) reasoning behind Tribunal verdicts relating to personal independence payment claims; and whether his Department takes steps to use Tribunal verdicts to improve its processes.
	tabling member constituency	Battersea
	tabling member printed	Marsha De Cordova
	uin	7225
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/01/2024 answer text <p>His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service provide a Decision Notice in relation to each tribunal to DWP. This contains the outcome of the tribunal and some information on why the decision was reached. This information is recorded on the PIP computer system.</p><p>This data only provides one reason per appeal as to why decisions by DWP decision makers have been overturned at a tribunal hearing, and therefore may not give the full story as there may be other reasons.</p><p>We are continuing to learn from decisions overturned at appeal. For example, we gather insight from DWP Presenting Officers who regularly provide feedback from hearings they attend, with a view to learning from overturned decisions.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 11/01/2024 11:50:19 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4676 label Biography information for Marsha De Cordova

1338891

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2021
	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	Employment Schemes: Disability
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the Government’s new employment programmes including Kickstart and Restart meet the needs of disabled people.
	tabling member constituency	Battersea
	tabling member printed	Marsha De Cordova
	uin	20510
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2021 answer text <p>The Kickstart Scheme provides flexibility and support for young people who may need to work reduced hours because of their specific requirements, such as a health condition. These are to be discussed and agreed with the Kickstart employer.</p><p> </p><p>Restart Scheme participants can take up part time roles as we have not specified the number of hours someone should work. Restart Scheme providers will receive an outcome payment when a participant earns over a certain threshold (the equivalent of six months’ work at the National Living Wage, with 16 hours worked each week), therefore part-time workers will take longer to reach this threshold, should their income be at a similar level. Based on experience of other programmes, this threshold is considered a reasonable proxy for sustainment of a job outcome and we believe this approach will ensure people are supported to find and stay in sustainable employment.</p><p> </p><p>There are currently no plans to extend the eligibility criteria of the Kickstart Scheme or the Restart Scheme.</p><p> </p><p>Disabled people, including those on Employment Support Allowance, who require more intensive employment support would have access to both the Work and Health Programme (WHP) and Intensive Personalised Employment Support (IPES) and can volunteer for this support at any time irrespective of benefit claimed or no benefit. The WHP predominantly helps people with a wide range of disabilities and health conditions to enter into and stay in work, and is suited to those who expect to find work within 12 months. IPES is an intensive, highly personalised voluntary support package that is flexible to participants’ needs. It supports disabled people with complex barriers to work who would be more than 12 months from the labour market without the benefit of IPES support.</p><p> </p><p>Young people with a disability or health condition on Universal Credit who wish to take up the opportunity of a Kickstart job can discuss what roles they are interested in and any reasonable adjustment they require with either a Work Coach, Youth Employability coach or Disability Employment Adviser. If adjustments are required to enable the young person to take up a Kickstart job these are to be discussed and agreed with the Kickstart employer.</p><p> </p><p>The Restart Scheme will be fully accessible for all scheme participants, including disabled people and people with health conditions. At the core of the programme is the requirement on providers to design and deliver a personalised service that addresses individuals’ support needs. Under the terms of the Equality Act, providers will be required to enable equal access to the provision. Restart Scheme providers will also be required to be Disability Confident Leaders, and therefore to be fully aware of best practice in supporting disabled people.</p><p> </p><p>The department will be monitoring the characteristics of people who participate in employment programmes. We will be evaluating the Kickstart Scheme and Restart Scheme to explore the delivery and outcomes from the programmes. This will include capturing the experiences of a range of participants, including disabled participants.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 20513 20514 20515 question first answered 30/06/2021 16:26:59 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4676 label Biography information for Marsha De Cordova

1338917

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2021
	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	Kickstart Scheme and Restart Scheme: Employment and Support Allowance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to widen the eligibility of the (a) Kickstart scheme and (b) Restart scheme to allow people receiving employment and support allowance to access those schemes.
	tabling member constituency	Battersea
	tabling member printed	Marsha De Cordova
	uin	20513
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2021 answer text <p>The Kickstart Scheme provides flexibility and support for young people who may need to work reduced hours because of their specific requirements, such as a health condition. These are to be discussed and agreed with the Kickstart employer.</p><p> </p><p>Restart Scheme participants can take up part time roles as we have not specified the number of hours someone should work. Restart Scheme providers will receive an outcome payment when a participant earns over a certain threshold (the equivalent of six months’ work at the National Living Wage, with 16 hours worked each week), therefore part-time workers will take longer to reach this threshold, should their income be at a similar level. Based on experience of other programmes, this threshold is considered a reasonable proxy for sustainment of a job outcome and we believe this approach will ensure people are supported to find and stay in sustainable employment.</p><p> </p><p>There are currently no plans to extend the eligibility criteria of the Kickstart Scheme or the Restart Scheme.</p><p> </p><p>Disabled people, including those on Employment Support Allowance, who require more intensive employment support would have access to both the Work and Health Programme (WHP) and Intensive Personalised Employment Support (IPES) and can volunteer for this support at any time irrespective of benefit claimed or no benefit. The WHP predominantly helps people with a wide range of disabilities and health conditions to enter into and stay in work, and is suited to those who expect to find work within 12 months. IPES is an intensive, highly personalised voluntary support package that is flexible to participants’ needs. It supports disabled people with complex barriers to work who would be more than 12 months from the labour market without the benefit of IPES support.</p><p> </p><p>Young people with a disability or health condition on Universal Credit who wish to take up the opportunity of a Kickstart job can discuss what roles they are interested in and any reasonable adjustment they require with either a Work Coach, Youth Employability coach or Disability Employment Adviser. If adjustments are required to enable the young person to take up a Kickstart job these are to be discussed and agreed with the Kickstart employer.</p><p> </p><p>The Restart Scheme will be fully accessible for all scheme participants, including disabled people and people with health conditions. At the core of the programme is the requirement on providers to design and deliver a personalised service that addresses individuals’ support needs. Under the terms of the Equality Act, providers will be required to enable equal access to the provision. Restart Scheme providers will also be required to be Disability Confident Leaders, and therefore to be fully aware of best practice in supporting disabled people.</p><p> </p><p>The department will be monitoring the characteristics of people who participate in employment programmes. We will be evaluating the Kickstart Scheme and Restart Scheme to explore the delivery and outcomes from the programmes. This will include capturing the experiences of a range of participants, including disabled participants.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 20510 20514 20515 question first answered 30/06/2021 16:26:59 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4676 label Biography information for Marsha De Cordova