Thank you for contacting me about support for people with disabilities.
I understand that disabled people and their families can encounter many hidden costs, from specialised equipment to travel expenditures.
For this reason, I was delighted to see the publication of the Health and Disability Green Paper. The Green Paper considers how to improve the DWP’s current services so they are better and easier to use, explore how extra support can help people navigate the system, as well as what can be done to better support disabled people into employment. Spending in this area increased by almost 5 per cent in 2020 from £19 billion to £20 billion. I look forward to reading the Government's response to the consultation that accompanied the Green Paper when it is published in the coming months.
I also note that the Chancellor has increased the Household Support Fund by an extra £500 million, taking total funding to £1.5 billion for vulnerable households who require additional support over the coming months with the cost of essentials. The fund has been available to local authorities in England since October, enabling them to distribute targeted funding within local areas to help those who need it most.
To help with travel costs, many local authorities also offer free or discounted fares, and I am encouraged by updates to the Access to Work programme, which enable people to access a blended offer that provides support both at home and at someone’s normal place of work.
It is vital that our welfare system supports those who need it, and I would emphasise that a record £64 billion is being spent in 2022/23 on benefits to support disabled people and those with health conditions. I know my colleagues across the Government continue to monitor research and campaigning from a wide variety of sources as they consider the future of welfare and disability policy.
You may be aware that the Government has published a National Disability Strategy, which focuses on the issues that disabled people
say affect them the most across all aspects and phases of life, including education, housing and transport. Following a High Court ruling, 14 of the over 100 policies included in the Strategy have been paused. While the Government appeals the ruling, Ministers remain focused on their continued commitment to supporting disabled people.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.