Employment and Support Allowance Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Work and Pensions
Baroness Redfern
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Employment and Support Allowance
Baroness Redfern Excerpts(2 years ago)
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Viscount Younger of Leckie (Con)
This is much more of a health matter, but we in the DWP are focusing on getting the 2.5 million back into work, should they wish to.
Baroness Redfern (Con)
My Lords, getting more people into work requires resources and training for those on the front line, particularly those in jobcentres. However, surely as important are the contacts made with employers, so what is my noble friend’s assessment of progress in empowering national and local employers to take on more disabled people?
Viscount Younger of Leckie (Con)
There are a few initiatives, such as the Disability Confident scheme, which I have alluded to. Increasing access to occupational health is a very important initiative which particularly requires focus on small and medium-sized enterprises that do not normally have occupational health. I also mentioned Access to Work; it is very important that we empower and encourage businesses to take on those who are disabled.