Written question asked by Lorraine Beavers (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 12 February 2026. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Monday, 23 February 2026 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
Access to Work Programme
- Question
-
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people were waiting for decisions on Access to Work scheme claims as of (a) February 2026, (b) October 2025 and (c) April 2025.
- Answer
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The number of Access to Work applications has risen significantly. We are committed to reducing waiting times. We also prioritise applications from customers who are due to start work within the next four weeks, as well as renewals for existing grants, to minimise disruption to employment.
In March 2025, the Department published the Pathways to Work Green Paper, launching a consultation on the future of Access to Work and how the scheme can better support disabled people in employment. We are reviewing all aspects of the programme as we develop plans for reform following the conclusion of the consultation.
As of the 1st of February 2026, there were 66,218 applications awaiting a decision.
As of the 1st of October 2025, please refer to the answer given on 22 October 2025 to Question UIN 80759. As of the 1st of April 2025, please refer to the answer given on 10 June 2025 to Question UIN 56299.
Please note that the data supplied is derived from unpublished management information, which was collected for internal Departmental use only, and have not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard.
Secondary information
- Type
- Written question
- Reference
- 112342
- Session
- 2024-26
- Related items
-
Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working
Tuesday, 18 March 2025
Command papers
House of Commons
House of Lords
- Subjects
- Access to work programme
- Contains statistics
- Yes
- Link
- View this Written question on www.parliament.uk
Librarians' tools
- Timestamp
- 2026-02-25 09:48:07 +0000
- URI
- http://data.parliament.uk/writtenparliamentaryquestion/commons/2024-26/112342
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