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Access to Work Programme: Standards

Asked by Rebecca SmithConservativeDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled Answered 22 May 2026UIN 1559

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of differences in waiting times for Access to Work, including (a) initial assessment, (b) approval and (c) commencement of support between regions.

Answered by Sir Stephen Timms

The Department does not hold the information in a format that allows waiting times to be analysed by region.

Access to Work applications are managed through a national queue and processed in date order, meaning that a customer’s region does not determine waiting time.

Information on the commencement of support is not collected, as it is for customers to put agreed support in place following approval.

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