Oral Answers to Questions

David Amess Excerpts

Monday 21st November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Justin Tomlinson (North Swindon) (Con)]

15. What steps the Government are taking to ensure that employers are supported in recruiting and retaining disabled people.

[Sir David Amess (Southend West) (Con)]

18. What steps the Government are taking to ensure that employers are supported in recruiting and retaining disabled people.

[The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work (Penny Mordaunt)]

We already support employers through the new Disability Confident scheme, Access to Work and the Fit for Work service. Other measures are planned. The Green Paper consultation will provide further insight into how we can support employers and their disabled employees.

--- Later in debate ---

[Sir David Amess]

Recalling the very happy days when my hon. Friend was training for her diving competition in Southend, will she join me in congratulating Southend Adult Community College and Poundland on leading the way in employing disabled people in Southend?

[Penny Mordaunt]

I am familiar not only with the diving boards at Southend but with that excellent college, which has done many things well, including understanding that the built environment has a huge, positive role to play in ensuring that people with profound and multiple physical and learning disabilities can achieve their full potential.