Vulnerable People: Support into Work

Dame Meg Hillier, the Labour MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, asked the Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, what steps the government is taking to support vulnerable people into work. The Minister responded that the government is committed to supporting vulnerable customers, and that Jobcentres can identify the support needed and signpost people to courses or organisations to help them overcome barriers. He stated that the government will be saying more about their proposals in the forthcoming employment White Paper. In a follow-up, Dame Meg Hillier praised the work of the DWP staff in her local Jobcentre, but highlighted the challenges faced by people with fluctuating conditions, particularly mental health conditions, both for them and for prospective employers. She asked the Minister to give a taster of what might be in the White Paper in terms of support for employers to encourage them to take on people with such challenges. The Minister acknowledged the significant challenge behind the increased inactivity in recent years, and stated that the government's response will be set out in the "Getting Britain Working" White Paper, but that they are already providing tailored support in partnership with the NHS and individual placement and support in primary care. Josh Babarinde, the Liberal Democrat MP for Eastbourne, then raised concerns about the Conservative-run East Sussex county council's plans to close the Steps to Work programme and Linden Court in Eastbourne, which supports people with learning disabilities to work towards employment. He asked the Minister to urge the county council to halt its plans and consider alternatives. The Minister responded that he believes more support is needed for people with learning disabilities to get into work, not less, and that he would be happy to look into the concerns raised by the MP. Mims Davies, the Conservative MP for East Grinstead and Uckfield, then asked the Minister about the Buckland review of autism employment, and how the government will use this review to tackle the lack of understanding and ongoing stereotypes to help make real change via Access to Work and other DWP interventions. The Minister stated that he is looking forward to meeting with Sir Robert Buckland later in the month to discuss this matter. In a final follow-up, Mims Davies asked the Minister when the disability action plan mid-year update will be provided, and whether the government will commit to working towards hosting the 2031 Special Olympics, as the previous Conservative government had done. The Minister responded that more information will be provided in the forthcoming "Getting Britain Working" White Paper, and that he would be happy to look into the matter of the Special Olympics if the MP were to write to him.