Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton Excerpts

Monday 18th July 2011 Commons Chamber

[Stuart Andrew (Pudsey) (Con)]

6. What recent steps he has taken to increase employment opportunities for disabled people.

[Mark Lancaster (Milton Keynes North) (Con)]

14. What recent steps he has taken to increase employment opportunities for disabled people.

[Eric Ollerenshaw (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Con)]

15. What recent steps he has taken to increase employment opportunities for disabled people.

--- Later in debate ---

[Maria Miller]

I thank my hon. Friend for that very good question and I can confirm to him absolutely that the budget is being protected. I also urge him to look at Liz Sayce’s report, which suggests that perhaps 35,000 additional disabled people could be supported into work from the same budget. That is something we would like to consult on and look at some more.

[Mark Lancaster]

I am sure that the Minister will join me in commending the work of the Spinal Injuries Association in Milton Keynes. Indeed, she might like to visit it the next time she is passing by, as a visit there would show that many of its employees are disabled. It gives a clear example of how tailored work programmes are the best way of getting disabled people back into work. Is that an approach that the Government will pursue?

[Maria Miller]

I thank my hon. Friend for drawing my attention to such good work in his constituency. I shall certainly consider trying to visit if I am able to. He is absolutely right that we should focus on the individual rather than on the institution—that is a common theme coming out of the Sayce review.