Access to Work Programme
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what conversations he has had with employers regarding the timeliness of notifications of changes in employees’ Access to Work awards.
Answered by Sir Stephen Timms
Access to Work continues to support disabled people and people with health conditions to start and stay in work, and the Department recognises increased demand has contributed to delays. In response to the increased demand, DWP has increased resourcing to support with reducing the backlog by September 2027 and is considering further improvements to the scheme.
DWP is improving the Access to Work service to ensure it remains focussed on providing timely and effective support, including how customers are notified when support changes or comes to an end. Decisions on awards are issued in writing and set out the support agreed and the period of the award. Customers who disagree with a decision can ask for it to be looked at again. The Department is continuing to improve the service so that it better supports disabled people to start and stay in work.
DWP has not had any specific conversations with employers about the timeliness of notifications to changes in employees’ Access to Work awards. However, the Department continues to engage with employers and other stakeholders about Access to Work as part of ongoing outreach work to improve the service.
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