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To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what response he has made to the RADAR report on awareness of the Access to Work Scheme among small employers; and what plans he has to increase (a) their awareness and take-up of the Scheme and (b) the resources available...
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what response he has made to the RADAR report on awareness of the Access to Work Scheme among small employers; and what plans he has to increase (a) their awareness and take-up of the Scheme and (b) the resources available...
Asked by
Lord Boswell of Aynho
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Jowell
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Employment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
31 October 2000
For answer on
6 November 2000
Answered on
6 November 2000
Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what response he has made to the RADAR report on awareness
of the Access to Work Scheme among small employers; and what plans he has to increase (a) their awareness and take-up of the Scheme
and (b) the resources available for it. [136301]
Ms Jowell: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief
Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Mark Neal to Mr. Tim Boswell, dated 6 November 2000:
As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked Leigh Lewis to reply to your question concerning
the RADAR report on awareness of the Access to Work scheme among small employers and what plans there are to increase their
awareness and take-up of the scheme and the resources available for it. This is something which falls within the responsibilities
delegated to Mr Lewis as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am replying on Mr Lewis' behalf.
I have read the RADAR report and was encouraged to see that 74% of small business respondents to the Jobs Worth Survey reported a
relatively high awareness of disability issues. However, I recognise that these respondents also indicated a low level of awareness
of the Disability Service, and particularly Access to Work.
Employment Service invest around £300,000 each year in marketing and publicising its disability services and programmes, including
Access to Work, through a variety of media such as external advertising, exhibitions, marketing events and video. A major process
review of Access to Work is currently underway to improve the responsiveness of the programme to disabled people and their
employers. A new Employment Service Website is due for launch during November and will contain information on all programmes and
services provided to disabled people and their employers, including information for individuals and employers on Access to Work.
In 1999-2000, the Employment Service spent £24.39 million on providing Access to Work support to disabled people in paid employment.
During 2000-2001, the Employment Service has £25.6 million to spend on providing Access to Work support.
I hope this is helpful.
Subjects
Access; Disability; Expenditure; Publicity; Small businesses; Access to work programme
Date
6 November 2000
Reference
356 c45-6W; 136301
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what Employment Service guidelines exist in respect of making disabled clients aware of the access to work scheme; and if he will make a statement. - Inc text of letter from Leigh Lewis of the Employment Service.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what Employment Service guidelines exist in respect of making disabled clients aware of the access to work scheme; and if he will make a statement. - Inc text of letter from Leigh Lewis of the Employment Service.
Asked by
Lord Allan of Hallam
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Hodge of Barking
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Employment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
17 July 2000
For answer on
28 July 2000
Answered on
28 July 2000
Subjects
Disability; Employment schemes; Access to work programme
Date
28 July 2000
Reference
354 c1050W; 131566
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many disabled persons are employed through government supported employment schemes in the North West region. - Inc text of letter from Richard Foster of the Employment Service and figure.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many disabled persons are employed through government supported employment schemes in the North West region. - Inc text of letter from Richard Foster of the Employment Service and figure.
Asked by
Lord Fearn
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Hodge of Barking
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Employment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
19 July 2000
For answer on
28 July 2000
Answered on
28 July 2000
Subjects
Disability; Employment schemes; New deal schemes; North West
Date
28 July 2000
Reference
354 c1054W; 132089
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what research his Department has carried out on the level of awareness of the Access to Work scheme amongst (a) employers and (b) disabled people. - Includes text of letter from Leigh Lewis of Employment Service Agency. (Holding answer 21...
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what research his Department has carried out on the level of awareness of the Access to Work scheme amongst (a) employers and (b) disabled people. - Includes text of letter from Leigh Lewis of Employment Service Agency. (Holding answer 21...
Asked by
Lord Allan of Hallam
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Hodge of Barking
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Employment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
18 July 2000
For answer on
24 July 2000
Answered on
24 July 2000
Mr. Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research his Department has carried out on the level of
awareness of the Access to Work scheme among (a) employers and (b) disabled people. [131820]
Ms Hodge: [holding answer 21 July 2000]:
Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have
asked him to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Richard Allan, dated 24 July 2000:
As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about research on
the level of awareness of the Access to Work programme among employers and disabled people. This is something that falls within the
responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
We have not undertaken any specific research into the level of awareness of Access to Work. However, in 1998 the Institute of
Employment Studies carried out an independent evaluation of Access to Work for the Employment Service. They found that recipients
had learnt about Access to Work from a wide range of sources, indicating that knowledge of Access to Work is widespread among
agencies helping disabled people, including family doctors, social services departments, health services, hospitals, employment
agencies, employers and organisations and support groups for disabled people.
We have recently contracted for an independent survey of Access to Work recipients to be undertaken later this year. The survey will
ask how recipients found out about the Access to Work programme and about their knowledge of what it can provide for disabled
people.
I hope this is helpful.
Subjects
Disability; Employment; Employment schemes; Research; Access to work programme
Date
24 July 2000
Reference
354 c440-1W; 131820
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what research his Department has completed, commissioned or co-operated which estimates the take-up of Access to Work grants in each of the last five years. - Inc text of letter from Richard Foster of the Employment Service. Inc table and...
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what research his Department has completed, commissioned or co-operated which estimates the take-up of Access to Work grants in each of the last five years. - Inc text of letter from Richard Foster of the Employment Service. Inc table and...
Asked by
Andrew George
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Hodge of Barking
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Employment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
11 July 2000
For answer on
18 July 2000
Answered on
18 July 2000
Mr. Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research his Department has completed,
commissioned or co-operated which estimates the take-up of Access to Work grants in each of the last five years. [130755]
Ms Hodge: [holding answer 17 July 2000]:
Responsibility for the subject of this question has been delegated to the Employment Service under its Chief Executive. I have asked
him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Richard Foster to Mr. Andrew George, dated 18 July 2000:
As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked Leigh Lewis to reply to your question regarding
what research his Department has completed, commissioned or co-operated in which estimates the take up of Access to Work grants in
each of the last five years. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr Lewis as Chief Executive of
the Agency. I am replying in his absence.
The Employment Service commissioned independent research into Access to Work in 1996 and 1998. On both occasions the research
focused on a wide range of issues within Access to Work including types of disability, age and gender of applicant, employment type,
time taken to provide support and general satisfaction with the programme. Copies of both research reports have been placed in the
libraries and their titles are; The Access to Work Programme - A Survey of Recipients, Employers, Employment Service Managers and
Staff, the Social & Community Planning Research 1996; and Evaluation of Access to Work, the Institute for Employment Studies, 1998.
Neither report was commissioned to look specifically into the take up and spend of the Access to Work programme but we do collect
management information that gives us this information. The table shows you how many disabled people have been helped and how much
has been spent through Access to Work between April 1995 and March 2000.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Year Number of beneficiaries Total spend (£ million)
1999-2000 20,729 24.3
1998-99 16,094 19.5
1997-98 12,825 14.6
1996-97 10,119 12.5
1995-96 13,577 19.9
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
I hope this is helpful.
Subjects
Disability; Employment; Employment schemes; Research; Take-up; Access to work programme
Date
18 July 2000
Reference
354 c128-9W; 130755
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what instructions and guidance have been issued to jobcentres in connection with the admissibility of job advertisements referring to the application, enthusiasm or capacity of potential applicants, in connection with their obligation to comply with disability and other equal opportunities...
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what instructions and guidance have been issued to jobcentres in connection with the admissibility of job advertisements referring to the application, enthusiasm or capacity of potential applicants, in connection with their obligation to comply with disability and other equal opportunities...
Asked by
Lord Boswell of Aynho
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Jowell
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Employment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 June 2000
For answer on
12 June 2000
Answered on
12 June 2000
Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what instructions and guidance have been issued to
jobcentres in connection with the admissibility of job advertisements referring to the application, enthusiasm or capacity of
potential applicants, in connection with their obligation to comply with disability and other equal opportunities legislation.
[125400]
Ms Jowell: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief
Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Tim Boswell, dated 12 June 2000:
As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning the
instructions and guidance given to Jobcentres in the administration of job advertisements, in connection with their obligation to
comply with disability and other equal opportunities legislation. This is something which falls within the responsibilities
delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
Guidance to Jobcentre staff instructs them that job advertisements should avoid language that might unfairly discriminate against
groups of unemployed jobseekers.
However, all Jobcentres have now been reminded that terms such as "hard working", "enthusiastic", and "reliable" are normal
descriptions, which can be freely used in vacancy advertisements. We have also asked Jobcentre staff to apply common sense and
accept an employer's wording, unless it would be clearly inappropriate to do so.
Subjects
Disability; Advertising; Employment; Equality; Jobcentres
Date
12 June 2000
Reference
125400; 351 c529W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what is the total budget allocated for informing disabled people and employers about the Access to Work scheme; and what the breakdown of that expenditure is; if his Department has produced a marketing strategy for the Access to Work scheme;...
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what is the total budget allocated for informing disabled people and employers about the Access to Work scheme; and what the breakdown of that expenditure is; if his Department has produced a marketing strategy for the Access to Work scheme;...
Asked by
Roger Berry
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Jowell
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Employment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
15 December 1999
For answer on
10 January 2000
Answered on
10 January 2000
Mr. Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what is the total budget allocated for informing disabled
people and employers about the access-to-work scheme; and what the breakdown of that expenditure is; [103356]
(2) if his Department has produced a marketing strategy for the access-to-work scheme; [103357]
(3) what is the total budget allocated for advertising the access to work scheme; and what is the level of expenditure allocated to
advertising on (a) radio, (b) television, (c) newspapers and (d) journals and trade magazines. [103358]
Ms Jowell: Responsibility for the subject of these questions has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief
Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Roger Berry, dated 10 January 2000:
As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply direct to your questions about the
Access to Work programme. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the
Agency.
For the current financial year, we have allocated £450,000 to marketing and promoting the full range of our services for disabled
people and their employers. This includes Access to Work, although we do not reserve a specific amount within that total for Access
to Work. We carefully consider advertising options but do not allocate specific amounts to advertising on radio, television,
newspapers or journals and trade magazines. We are spending £350,000 of the budget on national promotions and the rest is being
spent to promote disability programmes and services at regional and local level.
Our publicity strategy is to raise awareness of the whole range of support available to disabled people and their employers from our
disability services. Thus we generally market these services collectively to give a coherent picture of the support available. We
produce, for example, leaflets, audio tapes, videos, posters, advertisements and articles for publication in a range of general and
specific disability journals. All such generic advertising includes information on the Access to Work programme. For example, in
March 1999, we worked closely with the British Deaf Association to produce a British Sign Language video--Make it Work--about our
programmes and services. We used three case studies in the video, two of which specifically promoted Access to Work. We have
distributed the video to every Jobcentre and to 1,000 external organisations including clubs, organisations and collages for deaf
and hearing impaired people.
The leaflets we produce are freely available from Jobcentres, Disability Service Teams and at marketing events, and we produce them
in alternative formats. There are specific leaflets for disabled people and employers promoting Access to Work. Disability
Employment Advisers use these leaflets on visits to employers to ensure they are aware of Access to Work.
We also promote our services, including Access to Work, at many national, regional and local marketing events. For example, we have
recently held promotions at the Institute of Personnel and Development Conference and Exhibition, the Confederation of British
Industry Conference, and the Access Ability, National Information Day. Access to Work was the central theme of the two employment
workshops at the Access Ability event.
In addition to our own promotions, the Government's current "See the Person" campaign is designed to raise awareness of the positive
contribution disabled people are able to make. The campaign refers directly to the support Access to Work can provide to those in
work.
I hope this is helpful.
Subjects
Disability; Advertising; Employment; Finance; Publicity; Marketing; Access to work programme
Date
10 January 2000
Reference
342 c43-4W; 103356;103357;103358
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what use he is making of research his Department has recently (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the demand for places for supported employment. - Including text of letter from Richard Foster of Employment Service, figures and ref to Supply...
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what use he is making of research his Department has recently (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the demand for places for supported employment. - Including text of letter from Richard Foster of Employment Service, figures and ref to Supply...
Asked by
Lord Boswell of Aynho
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Jowell
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Employment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
20 October 1999
For answer on
26 October 1999
Answered on
26 October 1999
Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what use he is making of research his Department has
recently (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the demand for places for supported employment. [95727]
Ms Jowell: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief
Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Richard Foster to Mr. Tim Boswell, dated 25 October 1999:
As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked Leigh Lewis to reply direct to your question
about research into the demand for place for our Supported Employment Programme. This is something which falls within the
responsibilities delegated to Mr. Lewis as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am replying in his absence.
The research was conducted by Sheila Honey and Matthew Williams at the Institute for Employment Studies and published in July 1998
under the title: Supply and Demand for Supported Employment. A copy is available in the House of Commons Library.
The Programme provides job support to over 22,000 disabled people with a range of employers and in supported factories and
businesses. It is open to disabled people who face more complex barriers to getting or keeping a job because of their disability,
but who can work effectively with support. The Programme is delivered in partnership with over 230 local authority and voluntary
organisations and Remploy Ltd. Around 12,000 supported employees work in a variety of jobs with mainstream employers with the
remainder working in around 190 supported factories and businesses, including some 6,3000 in Remploy factories.
The research provided estimates, using a variety of data sources, of the extent to which the supply of places on our Programme
matched the potential demand on a geographical basis. Depending on the definition, the research indicated a potential additional
demand of between 40,000 and 180,000 places. The lower figures was based on people who were unemployed and actively seeking work and
the upper figure included those who were currently inactive in the labour market (such as students, those looking after families or
homes, or people temporarily unable to work due to illness). It is unlikely, however, that all of those estimated as eligible for
our Supported Employment Programme will actually demand a place--many are likely to find work in open employment or training.
The research also indicated that the degree to which the potential supply of places on the Programme matched the potential demand
varied by Employment Service Region. Wales had the closest match between supply and demand, followed by the South West and the
Northern Region. The greatest mismatch between supply and demand occurred in London, followed by the West Midlands and the North
West.
East year some 3,000 people enter the Programme; and we are using the findings of the research to inform contract discussions with a
view to addressing geographical imbalances over time. One key factor we take into account in these discussions is that any rapid
redistribution of existing places could force people off the Programme (and potentially out of work). Many contractors also have a
specific geographical rather than a national remit, for example local authorities, and cannot support people elsewhere.
Government funding for our Supported Employment Programme for 1999-2000 is £155.1 million. A further £5 million for this financial
year and the two following financial years to March 2002 has been allocated as part of a new £30 million fund for disability
services, announced in 1998 by the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. We are using this additional resource to
increase the grant per place to local authority and voluntary body contractors, to support developments at Remploy, and to support
proposals for a series of projects to develop and test ways of improving the effectiveness of the Programme and, in particular, its
success in helping people to progress into open employment. Helping those disabled people who can cope with unsupported open
employment to make the transition will release places for new people to enter the Programme.
I hope this is helpful.
Subjects
Disability; Finance; Employment schemes; Research; Remploy; Take-up; Workstep
Date
26 October 1999
Reference
95727; 336 c807-8W
House
House of Commons
Deposited by
Employment Service
Type
Deposited papers
Author
Employment Service
Committed on
1 September 1999
Originated on
1 August 1999
Received on
1 September 1999
Subjects
Staff; Disability; Finance; Employment schemes; Workstep
Commons Library location
Dep 99/1578
Date
1 September 1999
Reference
Dep 99/1578
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what (i) general training is provided for personal advisers on New Deals and (ii) specific training is provided for personal advisers assisting (a) young people, (b) lone parents, (c) people with disabilities and (d) older people. - Inc text of...
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what (i) general training is provided for personal advisers on New Deals and (ii) specific training is provided for personal advisers assisting (a) young people, (b) lone parents, (c) people with disabilities and (d) older people. - Inc text of...
Asked by
Lynne Jones
(Labour)
Answered by
Andrew Smith
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Employment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
16 March 1999
For answer on
23 April 1999
Answered on
23 April 1999
Dr. Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what (i) general training is provided for personal
advisers on New Deals and (ii) specific training is provided for personal advisers assisting (a) young people, (b) lone parents, (c)
people with disabilities and (d) older people. [77541]
Mr. Andrew Smith: Responsibility for the subject of this question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its
Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Leigh Lewis to Ms Lynne Jones, dated 23 April 1999:
As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply direct
to your question regarding; (i) the general training provided for personal advisers on New Deal and (ii) specific training provided
for personal advisers assisting (a) young people, (b) lone parents, (c) people with disabilities and (d) older people. This is
something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
All Employment Service staff, including Personal Advisers, have access to a comprehensive range of training covering all the
knowledge and skills they need to do their job. The amount of training a Personal Adviser will require is dependent on their role
and responsibilities, their previous experience and their existing level of knowledge and skills.
As an indication only, if a person was recruited to undertake basic advisory duties and had no previous knowledge of Employment
Service business, they would require a minimum of 23 days training to be considered as having a basic level of competence. However,
this does not include consolidation, assimilation and experience, all of which are crucial elements of the development of advisory
knowledge and skills. This training includes job-broking, communication, interviewing and caseload management skills, knowledge of
Employment Legislation, Jobseeker's Allowance and other benefits, including In-Work Benefits, Employment and Training Opportunities
and the use of our IT systems.
In addition to the general training, if Advisers were to undertake specialist Advisory duties, for example, New Deal Adviser for
People with Disabilities, they would require anything between 2 days and 6 weeks further training.
I will deal with the training provided for the specific types of New Deal Personal Advisers in the order that you have raised them.
a] Young People: 18-24 years The general training described above gives the Personal Advisers the skills and knowledge to deal with
this client group.
b] Lone Parents In addition to the basic level of training detailed above, which Advisers have before attending a New Deal for Lone
Parents Adviser training programme, Advisers are provided with an additional 27 days of training. This specific programme covers all
the unique knowledge and skills required to understand and advise this particular client group. This includes: an overview of the
issues and problems of lone parents (provided by external organisations NCOPF, Gingerbread & The Daycare Trust;) new business
processes and cultural requirements; detailed benefits and allowances training; advanced interviewing, presentational, marketing &
representational skills.
c] People with Disabilities As before, the amount of training required will be dependent on an Adviser's previous experience and
their current level of competence. If they have not previously been a Disability Employment Adviser they will need 5 weeks of
training as described below--Block A and Block B. People who have already had the 3 week training for DEAs--Block A, would only need
the 2 week New Deal specific event--Block B. Block A training includes: non-directive employment related counselling skills; issues
and problems faced by people with new or long standing disabilities--delivered by external organisations; disability awareness, eg,
mental health, learning disabilities, hearing and visual impairment, epilepsy--delivered by specialist speakers such as RNIB and
RNID. Block B New Deal specific training includes: working in partnership and cultural requirements; employability measures and
issues for gaining, retaining and sustaining employment; holistic approaches and medical conditions--provided by an external
speaker; presentation and representational skills.
d] Older People--25+ New Deal Personal Advisers dealing with the 25+ age group would have an additional 2 day event including
eligibility, client self-marketing, identifying and submitting to suitable vacancies/other provision and follow through.
50+ This is a new initiative. Work is currently being undertaken to establish the training needs of the Personal Advisers dealing
with this group.
You may also be interested to know that all training given to New Deal Personal Advisers has been designed to help them achieve an
S/NVQ in Guidance.
I hope this response covers all the information you wanted.
Subjects
Disability; Older people; Lone parents; Training; Young people; New deal schemes; Employment Service
Date
23 April 1999
Reference
77541; 329 c715-6W;329 c715-7W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what percentage of Employment Service offices are accessible by wheelchair. - Inc figs and text of letter from Richard Foster of the Employment Service.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what percentage of Employment Service offices are accessible by wheelchair. - Inc figs and text of letter from Richard Foster of the Employment Service.
Asked by
Laurence Robertson
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Blunkett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Employment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
22 February 1999
For answer on
26 February 1999
Answered on
26 February 1999
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of Employment Service offices are
accessible by wheelchair. [73143]
Mr. Blunkett: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief
Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Richard Foster to Mr. Laurence Robertson, dated 25 February 1999:
As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked Leigh Lewis to reply
direct to your question concerning the percentage of Employment Service offices that are wheelchair accessible. This is something
which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr. Lewis as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am replying in his absence.
For each of the past three years, the Employment Service has carried out an annual audit of the progress on its planned programme of
works to improve the accessibility of Employment Service offices to people with disabilities. The annual audit is undertaken to
ensure that we comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act within the timescales set. The audit indicates
whether our buildings have wheelchair access, loop hearing and disabled toilets.
The latest audit results show that from a total of 1180 premises, 93% have either equal or special wheelchair access for clients.
The remaining 7% which do not allow wheelchair access offer alternative arrangements for access to our services, to clients with
special needs, either arranging interviews at a nearby office with disabled access or by visiting clients in their homes. Of these
offices, there are proposals to remedy difficulties in 12 of them next year. The remaining offices will present longer term
difficulties because structural or other constraints mean that it is not possible to replace steps with ramps, or the office is
located on an upper floor of a building where it is not physically possible to install a lift or chair lift.
We are of course, exploring all feasible means of overcoming these obstacles to access. Some 64% of Jobcentres have disabled
toilets, and 72% have loop hearing facilities. It is planned to increase the provision to 66% and 90% respectively by April 1999 as
part of our planned improvement programme.
I hope that this information will help reassure you that the Employment Service is doing all it practically can to provide access to
its buildings for people with disabilities.
Subjects
Access; Disability; Jobcentres; Offices; Wheelchairs; Employment Service
Date
26 February 1999
Reference
73143; 326 c487-8W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many job centres are fully accessible for the disabled; and what percentage have the equipment and trained staff to offer a gateway interview to disabled people. - Includes figures, ref to Disability Discrimination Act and text of letter from...
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many job centres are fully accessible for the disabled; and what percentage have the equipment and trained staff to offer a gateway interview to disabled people. - Includes figures, ref to Disability Discrimination Act and text of letter from...
Asked by
Geraint Davies
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answered by
Andrew Smith
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Employment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 January 1999
For answer on
19 January 1999
Answered on
19 January 1999
Mr. Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many job centres are fully accessible for the
disabled; and what percentage have the equipment and trained staff to offer a gateway interview to disabled people. [65086]
Mr. Andrew Smith: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its Chief
Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Geraint Davies, dated 19 January 1999:
As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply direct
to your question regarding the number of Jobcentres that are fully accessible for the disabled; and what percentage have the
equipment and trained staff to offer a gateway interview to disabled people. This is something which falls within the
responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
It may be helpful if I explain that for the last three years the Employment Service has carried out an annual audit of progress on
its planned programme of works to improve the accessibility of Jobcentres to people with disabilities. This is to ensure that we
comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act within the timescales set. The audit indicates whether our
buildings have wheelchair access, loop hearing aid facilities and disabled toilets.
The latest audit results showed that from a total of 1180 premises, 93% have wheelchair access for clients. The remaining offices
offer alternative arrangements to clients with special needs--either arranging interviews at a nearby office with disabled access or
by visiting the clients in their homes.
In addition, 64% of Jobcentres have toilet facilities for disabled people and 72% have loop hearing facilities. We expect these
proportions to increase to 66 and 90% respectively by April 1999 as part of our planned improvement programme.
With regard to the percentage of offices which have staff trained to offer New Deal gateway interviews to disabled people, I can
confirm that we are normally able to provide such a service in all of our offices.
I hope this is helpful.
Subjects
Access; Disability; Jobcentres; Interviews; Staff; Training; ONE programme; New deal schemes
Date
19 January 1999
Reference
323 c403-4W; 65086
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what proportion of the money spent during the past five years for financial assistance to purchase wheelchairs through Access to Work has been spent on (a) indoor/outdoor powered wheelchairs and (b) manual wheelchairs. - Ref to letter from Peter Collis...
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what proportion of the money spent during the past five years for financial assistance to purchase wheelchairs through Access to Work has been spent on (a) indoor/outdoor powered wheelchairs and (b) manual wheelchairs. - Ref to letter from Peter Collis...
Asked by
Baroness May of Maidenhead
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Howarth of Newport
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Employment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
3 June 1998
For answer on
15 June 1998
Answered on
15 June 1998
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of the money spent during the past five years
for financial assistance to purchase wheelchairs through Access to Work has been spent on (a) indoor/outdoor powered wheelchairs and
(b) manual wheelchairs. [44679]
Mr. Alan Howarth: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief
Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Peter Collis to Mrs. Theresa May, dated 15 June 1998:
The Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked Leigh Lewis to reply to your question about the financial assistance
given towards the purchase of wheelchairs through the Access to Work programme during the past five years. This is something which
falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr. Lewis as the Chief Executive of the Employment Service. I am replying in his
absence.
I am afraid that we do not hold information centrally on the number of grants made under Access to Work for wheelchairs or their
cost. I attach a table detailing expenditure under Access to Work over the last five years broken down by the main categories of
expenditure. Expenditure on wheelchairs falls within the Special Aids and Equipment category.
I am sorry I cannot be more helpful.
Expenditure on Access to Work elements for the last five years
£
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Element 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98
Assistance with fares to 2,289,615 2,616,028 3,332,228 3,679,465 4,391,037
work
Adaptations to vehicles -- 113,935 401,175 208,643 96,149
Personal reader service 1,183,346 1,259,351 1,480,239 970,361 951,140
Support worker -- 214,503 1,032,017 1,397,820 1,885,934
Special aids and equipment 7,243,143 10,698,285 12,504,284 5,513,235 6,206,601
Adaptations to premises and 487,586 654,612 1,031,340 621,202 822,335
equipment
Communicator support at -- 48,702 59,890 38,876 45,759
interview
Miscellaneous support -- 116,486 146,453 136,089 187,860
Total 11,203,690 15,721,902 19,987,626 12,565,691 14,586,815
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Subjects
Disability; Expenditure; Mobility scooters; Staff; Wheelchairs; Access to work programme
Date
15 June 1998
Reference
314 c80W; 44679
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list by disability for each month since December 1996 the number of people who sought Access to Work support in the first six weeks of their employment. - Text of letter from Peter Collins of the Employment...
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list by disability for each month since December 1996 the number of people who sought Access to Work support in the first six weeks of their employment. - Text of letter from Peter Collins of the Employment...
Asked by
Mark Oaten
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Howarth of Newport
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Employment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
4 June 1998
For answer on
11 June 1998
Answered on
11 June 1998
Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list by disability for each month since December
1996 the number of people who sought Access to Work support in the first six weeks of their employment. [45031]
Mr. Alan Howarth: [holding answer 9 June 1998]:
Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have
asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Peter Collins to Mark Oaten, dated 10 June 1998:
As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked Leigh Lewis to reply to your question about the
number of people who sought Access to Work support in the first six weeks of their employment since December 1996, listed by
disability. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr. Lewis as Chief Executive of the Employment
Agency.
I am afraid that we do not hold information centrally on the number of people who seek Access to Work support in the first six weeks
of employment broken down by disability. However, recent research carried out for the Employment Service in 1997 has provided an
analysis by disability of people applying for Access to Work support. The results are set out in the attached table. It is based on
a sample of 492 Access to Work applicants who applied for support between 1 February and 31 May 1997.
I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful.
Clients receiving Access to Work support by type of disability{1}
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Percentage
Problems or disabilities connected with the arms or hands 17
Problems or disabilities connected with the legs or feet 21
Problems or disabilities connected with the back or neck 29
Difficulty in seeing 18
Difficulty in hearing 18
Severe disfigurement --{2}
Skin conditions, allergies 2
Chest or breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis 3
Heart, blood pressure or blood circulation problems 2
Stomach, liver, kidney or digestive problems 1
Diabetes --{2}
Depression, bad nerves or anxiety 1
Epilepsy 3
Specific learning difficulties 3
Severe learning difficulties (mental handicap) 1
Mental illness or suffer from phobia, panics or other nervous 1
diseases
Progressive illness not included elsewhere 7
Other health problems or disabilities 17
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
{1} IES Survey of ATW applicants, 1997 {2} Not sufficient numbers with this category of disability to provide a percentage
Subjects
Disability; Staff; Access to work programme
Date
11 June 1998
Reference
45031; 313 c707-8W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what procedures exist to monitor the receipt, processing and outcome of applications for financial assistance to purchase wheelchairs through Access to Work; and similar questions on same. - Text of letter from Peter Collis of the Employment Service, inc figures...
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what procedures exist to monitor the receipt, processing and outcome of applications for financial assistance to purchase wheelchairs through Access to Work; and similar questions on same. - Text of letter from Peter Collis of the Employment Service, inc figures...
Asked by
John Healey
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Howarth of Newport
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Employment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
21 May 1998
For answer on
4 June 1998
Answered on
4 June 1998
Subjects
Disability; Costs; Expenditure; Staff; Wheelchairs; Access to work programme
Date
4 June 1998
Reference
313 c365-6W; 43934;43937;43938;43936;43935
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many projects have been funded under the National Disability Development Initiative; how many have started; and what monitoring and evaluation is taking place. - Inc text of letter from Leigh Lewis of the Employment Service.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many projects have been funded under the National Disability Development Initiative; how many have started; and what monitoring and evaluation is taking place. - Inc text of letter from Leigh Lewis of the Employment Service.
Asked by
Jim Fitzpatrick
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Howarth of Newport
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Employment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
23 March 1998
For answer on
8 April 1998
Answered on
8 April 1998
Mr. Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many projects have been funded under the National
Disability Development Initiative; how many have started; and what monitoring and evaluation is taking place. [36351]
Mr. Alan Howarth: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief
Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Jim Fitzpatrick, dated 8 April 1998:
The Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply to your question concerning the number of projects which
have been funded under the National Disability Development Initiative; how many have started; and what monitoring and evaluation is
taking place. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Employment
Service.
I regret that I am unable to provide you with exactly the information you have requested as currently no contracts have been awarded
under the National Disability Development Initiative. However, I can confirm that nine preferred tenders have been selected by the
National Disability Development Initiative Board, and that contract negotiations are at an advanced stage. I can also confirm that
the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Employment and Equal Opportunities hopes to make an announcement about the successful
projects towards the end of April.
I hope this is helpful.
Subjects
National disability development initiative
Date
8 April 1998
Reference
36351; 310 c338W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many claimants of jobseeker's allowance restrict their availability for work because of ill-health or disability; and how many of these are over the age of 50 years. - Text of letter from Leigh Lewis of Employment Service agency. Includes...
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many claimants of jobseeker's allowance restrict their availability for work because of ill-health or disability; and how many of these are over the age of 50 years. - Text of letter from Leigh Lewis of Employment Service agency. Includes...
Asked by
Jim Fitzpatrick
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Howarth of Newport
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Employment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
26 January 1998
For answer on
12 February 1998
Answered on
12 February 1998
Mr. Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many claimants of jobseeker's allowance restrict
their availability for work because of ill health or disability; and how many of these are over the age of 50 years. [26164]
Mr. Alan Howarth: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief
Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Jim Fitzpatrick, dated February 1998:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question relating to the number of Jobseeker's Allowance claimants who restrict
their availability for work because of ill-health or disability and how many of these are over age 50. This is something which falls
within the responsibilities delegated to me as Employment Service Chief Executive.
Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations allow people with physical and mental health problems to restrict their availability, providing
the restrictions are reasonable in the light of their condition. Jobseekers agree any restrictions with advisers when they draw up
their Jobseeker's Agreement when they first claim Jobseeker's Allowance.
Unfortunately, I am unable to provide the precise information you require. We do not hold information about how many jobseekers
there are who place restrictions on ill-health or disability and are over 50 years of age. Statistics are available on the number of
claims referred to and decisions made by the adjudication authorities where there is a doubt on availability because an unreasonable
restriction has been identified. These can be found within the Analysis of Adjudication Officers Decisions, a copy of which is
retained within the House of Commons Library.
I hope this is helpful.
Subjects
Disability; Applications; Jobseeker's allowance; Eligibility; Staff; Social security benefits; Unemployment benefits
Date
12 February 1998
Reference
26164; 306 c283W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many disabled people have started a rehabilitation programme in the last 12 months; and what is his estimate of the average cost per place on an employment rehabilitation programme. - Text of letter from Leigh Lewis of the Employment...
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many disabled people have started a rehabilitation programme in the last 12 months; and what is his estimate of the average cost per place on an employment rehabilitation programme. - Text of letter from Leigh Lewis of the Employment...
Asked by
Jim Fitzpatrick
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Howarth of Newport
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Employment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
26 January 1998
For answer on
9 February 1998
Answered on
9 February 1998
Mr. Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many disabled people have started a rehabilitation
programme in the last 12 months; and what is his estimate of the average cost per place on an employment rehabilitation programme.
[26163]
Mr. Alan Howarth: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief
Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Jim Fitzpatrick, dated 9 February 1998:
The Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply to your question relating to the number of disabled people
who started a rehabilitation programme in the last 12 months, and his estimate of the average cost per place on an employment
rehabilitation programme. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Employment Service Chief
Executive.
In the 12 months to December 1997, 14,262 people with disabilities started employment rehabilitation programmes. In the same period,
£9,526,000 was spent on the programme.
Unfortunately, the Employment Service do not hold information on the average cost per rehabilitation place as this is not a
particularly meaningful measure in the context of this programme. This is because employment rehabilitation programmes are
individually tailored to the needs of each person. The programme can therefore last a few days or a few weeks, and can be on a part
time or full time basis. Whilst the majority of employment rehabilitation programmes are within daily travelling distance, there may
also be instances where a period of more costly residential rehabilitation may be necessary.
I hope this is helpful.
Subjects
Disability; Costs; Employment; Rehabilitation
Date
9 February 1998
Reference
26163; 306 c86W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many disabled workshops there are in each London borough authority area. - Text of letter from Mr Tom Cox of Employment Service.
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many disabled workshops there are in each London borough authority area. - Text of letter from Mr Tom Cox of Employment Service.
Asked by
Tom Cox
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Howarth of Newport
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Employment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
19 January 1998
For answer on
28 January 1998
Answered on
28 January 1998
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many disablement workshops there are in each London borough authority
area. [24534]
Mr. Alan Howarth: I have been asked to reply.
Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have
asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 28 January 1998:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your question about the number of disabled workshops in each
London Borough Authority area. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as the Employment Service
Chief Executive.
The Employment's Service's Supported Employment Programme provides employment for severely disabled people who would not otherwise
be able to obtain or retain employment. The Programme provides funding for the following workshops for disabled people in the London
Boroughs:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
London Borough Workshop owned by Local Workshop owned by a Workshop owned by a Remploy factory
Authority voluntary body acting as voluntary body
a voluntary agent for a
LA
Barking -- -- -- Barking
Brent Carlyon Royal London Society for -- Cricklewood
the Blind
Croydon Crosfield -- -- --
Ealing -- -- -- Acton
Greenwich -- -- -- Woolwich
Haringey Haringey -- -- --
Islington -- General Welfare for the Mencap Office Services Holloway
Blind
Lambeth -- -- -- Brixton
Newham Newco -- -- --
Southwark -- Action for Blind People Camberwell --
Royal Society for the Rehabilitation
Blind Association
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
I hope this is helpful.
Subjects
Disability; Greater London; Employment schemes; Staff
Date
28 January 1998
Reference
305 c258W; 24534
House
House of Commons
How much money they receive from employers under the Access to Work Scheme. - Text of letter from L Lewis of Employment Service and includes figures.
How much money they receive from employers under the Access to Work Scheme. - Text of letter from L Lewis of Employment Service and includes figures.
Asked by
Lord Ashley of Stoke
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Blackstone
(Labour)
Answering body
Employment Service
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
27 November 1997
Answered on
27 November 1997
Subjects
Disability; Employment; Finance; Employment schemes; Recruitment; Staff; Access to work programme
Date
27 November 1997
Reference
583 c133-4WA
House
House of Lords