 |
answer text |
<p>In March 2015 the former Minister for Disabled People announced a series of reforms
to Access to Work, including a cap on high value awards which would be mitigated by
transitional protection for existing customers. In May 2015 the DWP published the
report ‘Equality Analysis for the Future of Access to Work’, which laid out the data
that had been reviewed in formulating those reforms and the considerations we had
taken into account in setting the cap level at 1.5 times the median gross annual earnings
for full-time employees (as published annually by the ONS).</p><p> </p><p>In 2017/18,
the cap amounted to £42,100 per person per year. In April 2018, the cap will rise
to £43,100.</p><p> </p><p>Since the cap came into effect in October 2015, we have
monitored the progress of deaf and disabled individuals affected by it, including
those who have benefitted from transitional protection. As we made clear in the 2015
equality analysis, we will continue to monitor the effects of capping and, if an adverse
impact upon equality is identified, we will consider the case for further flexibilities.
Ministers and officials have also conducted extensive engagement with customers and
organisations including charities, disabled people’s organisations and employers.
The most recent engagement was held in January 2018.</p>
|
|
