Asked by: Alex Easton (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she is taking steps to reform the disability benefits system for people living with multiple sclerosis.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
This government is committed to breaking down the barriers to opportunity for disabled people and people with health conditions, including people with multiple sclerosis, improving our employment and health support offer and tackling rising levels of economic inactivity.
We will be considering our own approach to social security in due course and welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with disabled people and the people that represent them to address some of the most challenging issues under this new government.
More disabled people and people with health conditions will be supported to enter and stay in work, by devolving more power to local areas so they can shape a joined-up work, health, and skills offer that suits the needs of the people they serve.
These plans to reform the system are central to our missions of kickstarting economic growth and breaking down barriers to opportunity.
Asked by: Alex Easton (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the consultation entitled Modernising support for independent living: the health and disability green paper, published on 29 April 2024, what her policy is on the use of (a) cash payments and (b) vouchers to people in receipt of the Personal Independence Payment; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of replacing cash payments with vouchers on disabled people.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The consultation entitled Modernising Support for Independent Living: the health and disability green paper ran for 12 weeks and closed on Monday 22 July. We received over 16,000 responses, demonstrating the depth of feeling about this important policy area. The consultation explored a range of policy proposals developed by the previous Government, including options for alternatives to cash support.
We will be considering our own plans for social security in due course. As we develop proposals, we will consider the potential impacts of reform on disabled people. This government is committed to championing the rights of disabled people and people with health conditions, and to the principle of working with disabled people so that their views and voices are at the heart of all that we do.
Asked by: Alex Easton (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she is taking steps to incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in (a) policy and (b) legislation.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The rights of disabled people under this Convention are largely reflected in domestic policies and legislation, including the Equality Act 2010 in England, Scotland and Wales, and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in Northern Ireland.
We are committed to championing the rights of disabled people. Our Equality (Race and Disability) Bill will enshrine in law the full right to equal pay for disabled people, including disability pay gap reporting for large employers. Additionally our Employment Rights Bill will support people - including disabled people - to access flexible working and break down barriers to opportunity.