Supporting Disabled People to Work

Jim Shannon Excerpts
Thursday 28th March 2019

(5 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Justin Tomlinson Portrait Justin Tomlinson
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As I said in my earlier answers, I am happy to attend and support debates and meetings. I am also proud to have served as the Minister for disabled people a few years back, and my passion has not diminished one bit. We all collectively owe it to those people who need that extra bit of support to do everything we can, and I am proud to do that.

Jim Shannon Portrait Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)
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First, I thank the Minister for his honest endeavours on behalf of disabled people. They are much appreciated. Can he outline whether there are any grants for small and medium-sized enterprises to make accessibility issues easier? If not, would he consider such a scheme?

Justin Tomlinson Portrait Justin Tomlinson
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I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. He has been a passionate advocate over the years in a number of the debates that I have responded to in this area. He is a real credit to his constituency. The Access to Work programme and the personalised support package can help to unlock opportunities within small employers. That is a really important area of work, and I am glad that he has taken the time to highlight it.