Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Neil O'Brien and Penny Mordaunt

Thursday 14th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Penny Mordaunt]

The Department for Work and Pensions has been continuing to do the work that was outlined in the health and work review 12 months or more ago and is making progress. The Department is considering how we can ensure not only that the welfare system works better in supporting disabled people, but that it dovetails with other schemes such as Access to Work. I shall make sure that the Department is aware of the specifics to which the hon. Lady refers.

[Neil O’Brien (Harborough) (Con)]

What has happened to total spending on disability benefits since 2010, and what has happened to the employment and unemployment rates for disabled people?

[Penny Mordaunt]

Members will know the figures well. The amount currently spent on disabled people and those with health conditions is £50 billion. We are closing the disability employment gap, but there is still much more to do. One of the things that the Department has been doing well is looking at this in the round, along with other issues such as accessibility. We need to support disabled people in relation to every aspect of their lives and every ambition that they have.