Equal Marriage Consultation

Debate between Maria Miller and Jane Ellison

Tuesday 11th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Maria Miller]

I would suggest that it is the role of Parliament to debate such issues. I would not want to rely on opinion polls to determine such an important issue.

[Jane Ellison (Battersea) (Con)]

We all represent a great many young constituents, although they are perhaps not our most active correspondents on this issue. Life is very tough for many young gay people, so does the Minister agree that this is an important way of sending out a signal to them as they grow up in our society that we value and treat them equally?

Same-sex Marriage in Churches

Debate between Maria Miller and Jane Ellison

Monday 10th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Maria Miller]

I think the Prime Minister made it clear that his own personal view was that that should be the case. The hon. Lady will have to wait perhaps a little less than 24 hours to see the details for herself.

[Jane Ellison (Battersea) (Con)]

On a broad rather than a detailed point, perhaps the Minister has, like me, met young people who have been forced out of homes by families who did not accept their being gay. Does she agree that a change towards equal marriage is an important way in which society can send a signal that their contribution is greatly valued today?

[Maria Miller]

My hon. Friend is right to say that we should all be striving for equality in civil life. In ensuring equality for citizens, however, we should respect the right of faith groups to have their beliefs too. Religious freedom and equality are two things that we should all cherish and protect in any way we can.

Work and Pensions

Debate between Maria Miller and Jane Ellison

Friday 1st April 2011 Ministerial Corrections

[Jane Ellison (Battersea) (Con)]

10. When he plans to respond to the review of employment support services for disabled people conducted by Liz Sayce.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Maria Miller)]

Liz Sayce is due to submit her independent review of specialist disability employment services by the summer of 2012. We look forward to her recommendations and will respond in due course.

[Official Report, 28 March 2011, Vol. 526, c. 3.]

Letter of correction from Maria Miller:

An error has been identified in the oral answer given on 28 March 2011.

The correct answer should have been:

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Maria Miller and Jane Ellison

Monday 28th March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South) (Con)]

3. When he plans to respond to the review of employment support services for disabled people conducted by Liz Sayce.

[Jane Ellison (Battersea) (Con)]

10. When he plans to respond to the review of employment support services for disabled people conducted by Liz Sayce. [Official Report, 1 April 2011, Vol. 526, c. 10MC.]

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Maria Miller)]

Liz Sayce is due to submit her independent review of specialist disability employment services by the summer of 2012. We look forward to her recommendations and will respond in due course.

--- Later in debate ---

[Maria Miller]

As I travel around and speak to disabled people in various types of employment, I hear from them directly how important new media are in helping people in that sector both to obtain jobs and to remain in employment. I am sure that new media opportunities will remain at the heart of the Government’s drive to get more people into work.

[Jane Ellison]

How is the Work Choice programme helping people with disabilities, especially those who need more specialist support?

[Maria Miller]

As my hon. Friend will know, Work Choice was launched in October last year, and concentrates on both pre-employment and on-the-job support. We will support about 13,000 people a year through Work Choice—people who experience the most difficulties in obtaining employment—and I am sure that it will prove to be an important part of the Government’s programme.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Maria Miller and Jane Ellison

Monday 10th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Maria Miller)]

The coalition Government have an ongoing commitment to co-production, which involves disabled people in how our policies develop. The Government also regularly meet charities and voluntary organisations to discuss new policy ideas. For example. Mind, Mencap and the National Autistic Society are working with Professor Harrington as part of the independent review of the work capability assessment. On 2 December 2010, I also announced an independent review into specialist employment support for disabled people led by Liz Sayce, the chief executive of RADAR—the Royal Association for Disability Rights.

[Jane Ellison]

I thank the Minister for that response. One of my disabled constituents uses the access to work travel assistance, which has helped him into a full-time job, but he finds the monthly form-filling quite onerous and believes that his case is handled by several different people. Does the Minister have any plans to streamline the system and reduce the burden of paperwork on disabled people, perhaps by putting some of it online?

[Maria Miller]

I thank my hon. Friend for that question and underline the Government’s commitment to access to work. The monthly claim form is kept as simple as possible but we really have to make sure that we are protecting public funds, so we require confirmation that a customer has been in work during the month and any receipts. We must also make sure that we have a confirming signature. Such documents would go straight to one of our payments team and would, I hope, be dealt with quickly, with the payment being made directly into the customer’s bank account. If my hon. Friend’s constituent is having particular problems, I advise her perhaps to seek further help at Jobcentre Plus. We understand the importance of refining the administration of access to work. That is why we have introduced the pre-employment eligibility letter—to give individuals assurance about their eligibility for access to work funding when they are looking for a job, not just after they have secured it.