Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Justin Tomlinson and Andrew Jones

Monday 30th November 2020 Commons Chamber

[Justin Tomlinson]

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy rightly have been introducing stronger and clearer guidance for employers. Employees who are not able to get reasonable adjustments put in place should either speak to their union representatives or can go through ACAS to seek resolution. Nobody should be going into work when they are meant to be self-isolating or are sick through covid.

[Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con)]

What steps her Department is taking to support universal credit claimants as a result of restrictions on face-to face appointments during the covid-19 outbreak.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Justin Tomlinson and Andrew Jones

Wednesday 25th November 2020 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con)]

The impact of the pandemic on unemployment is being felt in every constituency. It is more important than ever to ensure that those living with disabilities are treated equally in the recruitment process, so what steps is my right hon. Friend taking to ensure that protections that support equality throughout the recruitment process stay prominent as we focus now on recovery?

[The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work (Justin Tomlinson)]

I thank my hon. Friend who is a real champion for disability employment opportunities in his constituency. As part of our £30 billion plan for jobs, disability provision is embedded throughout our schemes, including in kick-start, the job entry targeted support scheme, sector-based academies, apprenticeships, the health and work programme, intensive personalised employment support and access to work. We remind employers that, under the Equality Act 2010, they must focus on ability, not health or disability.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Justin Tomlinson and Andrew Jones

Monday 19th October 2020 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con)]

The Knaresborough Connectors community group and Knaresborough chamber of trade are working together to build a scheme to enable participation in the kickstart scheme for smaller businesses in the area. It is good work and I am keen to help it. Will my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State be encouraging the Department to work with local community organisations to ensure that all areas, urban and rural, and all businesses, small and large, can access the benefits of kickstart?

[The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work (Justin Tomlinson)]

My hon. Friend is always a champion of his local organisations and constituents. Yes, absolutely; many local authorities, charities and organisations, such as North Yorkshire County Council, have agreed to act as gateways or have submitted bids for funding.