Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to help reduce inequalities for young disabled people in the labour market.

As set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper, we will launch a new Youth Guarantee for all young people aged 18-21 in England to ensure that they can access quality training opportunities, an apprenticeship or help to find work.

The Government recognises that health conditions and disabilities can present significant barriers to work for many young people. A range of existing programmes already provide targeted support:

• “Support for Schools Advisers” work in schools to provide support to young people, including those at risk of not being in education, employment or training. This includes those with health conditions and disabilities. Advisers provide information on post-school education and training options, career pathways, as well as advice on the skills valued by employers – helping to prevent economic inactivity through early intervention.
• Youth Employability Coaches (YECs) offer intensive, tailored employment support to young people with complex barriers. This includes continued support for six weeks after securing employment or entering education or training. YECs can help young people access Supported Internships, Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes, apprenticeships or traineeships. They also work closely with Disability Employment Advisers and specialist partner organisations.
• A range of additional health-related support is available to help move young people with disabilities into sustained employment. This includes Connect to Work, employment support within NHS Talking Therapies, Access to Work grants, Supported Internships, the Individual Placement and Support programme for those with severe mental health conditions, Contracted Employment Provision and Intensive Personalised Employment support.

However, we recognise that the current benefit system categorises too many young people as unable to work, often leaving them without meaningful engagement or support. For most disabled young people and young people with a health condition working at some point in the near future must be a credible ambition.

That is why the Pathways to Work Green Paper sets out reform options for a joined-up work, health and skills approach and to reform the employment journey for young people, including those with disabilities. The consultation closed on 30 June, and we are now carefully reviewing all responses as we develop the new support offer and our expectations of engagement.