Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking with the Department of Health and Social Care to assess how changes to the Access to Work programme’s policy, implementation and claimant interactions could improve health outcomes and prevent avoidable deterioration of health for disabled people and people with long-term health conditions.

Access to Work is an important programme that supports many people and reform in this area is complex. We are committed to ensuring the system remains fair, and sustainable and changes must be carefully designed to ensure they deliver real improvements and this work takes time, but it is important we get it right.

We have taken the time needed to consult widely, collaborate, and gather evidence from disabled people, employers, and representative bodies. We are continuing to refine policy options, and ministers will announce next steps when the policy, evidence, and delivery plans are fully developed.