Access to Work Programme
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the time taken for Access to Work award decisions and reimbursements payments on access to jobs for disabled people, including people living with multiple sclerosis.
Answered by Sir Stephen Timms
We recognise the importance of clearing the backlog, which is why last year we increased the number of staff working in this area by 27% and we have continued to streamline delivery practices. To protect employment opportunities, case managers prioritise Access to Work applications where the customer is due to start a job within four weeks, or cases that are up for renewal.
In the Pathways to Work Green Paper, we consulted on the future of Access to Work and how to improve the scheme so that it helps more disabled people in work. We are considering all aspects of the scheme as we develop plans for reform following the conclusion of the consultation.
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