Oral Answers to Questions

James Heappey Excerpts

Monday 19th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon) (Con)]

7. What steps the Government have taken to support disabled people in Budget 2018.

[James Heappey (Wells) (Con)]

19. What steps the Government have taken to support disabled people in Budget 2018.

[The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work (Sarah Newton)]

In the Budget, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced a £1,000 a year increase in the work allowances under universal credit, which will provide a £630 boost to working disabled people and families on low incomes. That is in addition to the additional support for claimants in receipt of severe disability premium announced in June.

[Sarah Newton]

I am delighted to echo my hon. Friend’s words. We are determined that every disabled person has the opportunity to fulfil their potential, and Disability Confident has helped many employers recruit and retain talented disabled people. The latest data indicates that there are now 3.9 million disabled people in work, which is an increase of 973,000 since 2013.

[James Heappey]

Somerset’s economy is characterised by tens of thousands of small businesses and start-ups. How many start-up loans have been granted to people with disabilities, and what steps is the Department taking to help to ensure that those with disabilities across the Wells constituency have the support that they need to start their own small business?

[Sarah Newton]

That is an excellent question. The new enterprise allowance supports people to set up a business, and a quarter of the 220,000 new entrepreneurs have a self-declared disability. The personal support package, the Work and Health programme and Access to Work all support self-employed disabled people. A record 33,860 people were supported through Access to Work this year, an increase of 13% on last year.