Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department's response to the consultation, Work, health and disability: improving lives, what plans his Department has to improve mental health training for frontline staff in each region of the UK.

We are committed to continuing to build work coach capability to deliver personalised and tailored support. All work coaches across the Jobcentre Plus network receive training on supporting people with health conditions and disabilities and we have developed an enhanced mental health training programme, which is now available in every country and region across the UK.

In addition, the roll out of the Health and Work Conversation across the UK supports work coaches to continue to build engagement with claimants with disabilities and health issues, backed by comprehensive new training which builds skills of empathy and active listening. We have also recruited new disability employment advisers and community partners who are in place in every country and region of the UK.