Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Bridgen and Guy Opperman

Monday 18th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Guy Opperman]

I am delighted to hear about the very welcome development that has been communicated by the Secretary of State today. I can confirm what the Employment Minister has set out today, and I am delighted that this progress has been made.

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

I am glad that 145,000 more people with disabilities have found work in the last 12 months, leading to a total of 930,000 moving into work in the last five years. Does the Minister agree that the Government’s declared target of helping 1 million people with disabilities into work could be rather more ambitious than it is?

[Guy Opperman]

One million is a great start, but I believe that there is capability for more. I encourage all employers up and down the country to consider the many talented disabled people who want to join the workforce. The numbers are up all over the country already, as my hon. Friend outlines, but there is a lot more that can be done.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Bridgen and Guy Opperman

Monday 9th October 2017 Commons Chamber

[Guy Opperman]

The Government strongly believe that there has been no maladministration by the Department for Work and Pensions, including during the 13 years when Labour was in charge of the Department.

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

Is the new state pension not in fact removing injustices that have persisted for far too long, and are not the main beneficiaries women and low earners?

[Guy Opperman]

My hon. Friend is correct. The new state pension is much more generous for the many women who were historically worse off under the old system. More than 3 million women stand to gain an average of £550 extra per year by 2030 as a result of these changes.