Written question asked by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 20 June 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 22 June 2011. It was answered by Lord Grayling (Conservative) on Tuesday, 28 June 2011 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Pathways to Work

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the months of reduced specialist service between the closure of the Pathways to Work programme and the commencement of the Work programme will contribute to the period for which those entitled to claim may claim contributory employment and support allowance once the changes scheduled for April 2012 are implemented; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: There has been no reduction of specialist support to help people with disabilities and health conditions move into employment. In April 2011 the Department put in place a new Jobcentre Plus based support regime for those with health conditions and disabilities, including those in receipt of incapacity benefits. This offered a much more flexible, tailored approach to support based on individual needs, not the rigid system of work focused interviews delivered through Pathways to Work. In the transition to the Work programme, the Department worked hard to ensure there were no gaps in provision. Now that the programme is live, people are receiving the more intensive, personalised support it offers.The introduction of a one-year time-limit for people receiving contributory employment and support allowance in the Work Related Activity Group is scheduled for implementation in April 2012. For those claimants in the work related activity group, time already spent on contributory employment and support allowance before the change is introduced will count towards the 365 day time limit. This is not affected by the level of support that was available to claimants through Pathways to Work or that is now available through the Work programme.

Secondary information