Remploy

Debate between Derek Twigg and Esther McVey

Thursday 4th July 2013 Commons Chamber

[Derek Twigg (Halton) (Lab)]

On Monday, I asked the Minister how many disabled people stayed in a job after 12 months. She said:

“Of the nearly 13,000 people who have started on Work Choice, a third—30%—have stayed in work.”—[Official Report, 1 July 2013; Vol. 565, c. 595.]

Given that many disabled people have been employed for 12 months, has she assessed why 70% of them are not staying in work long term?

[Esther McVey]

The hon. Gentleman makes a good point. We are looking at that, at what we can do and at the best way forward. That is why we have a brand new, two-year specialist disability employment strategy, which will start later in July, to see what is the best support we can give to those people.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Derek Twigg and Esther McVey

Monday 1st July 2013 Commons Chamber

[Esther McVey]

I congratulate my hon. Friend on the work she is doing. Employers have the jobs and young people want those jobs, so getting them together is key. That is precisely what we will be doing when we launch our new employment strategy: getting together all the FTSE 100 companies, SMEs and young disabled entrepreneurs so that they can employ people and share best practice.

[Derek Twigg (Halton) (Lab)]

The Minister has mentioned programmes that help disabled people get into work, but how many of those people remained in work 12 months after they got a job?

[Esther McVey]

Of the nearly 13,000 people who have started on Work Choice, a third—30%—have stayed in work. That situation has improved, but we want to do more, so we are starting the “disability confident” campaign, which will, we hope, help to achieve better outcomes.