Employment schemes for disabled people vary widely and need more scrutiny

The government must introduce minimum standards for employment services for disabled people and crack down on poor performance, to tackle wide variations in quality, MPs said today.

In a report, the public accounts committee said Jobcentre Plus commissioned over 500 providers in this area, which meant it could not carry out the required number of inspections.

The committee called for a shift in provision from supporting people to find work to helping them retain jobs, given that most people become disabled when adults, and were likely to be in work.

It said the Department for Work and Pensions’ six existing programmes for disabled people provided a confusing mix with often artificial distinctions between the schemes.

Instead, it added, disabled people should be offered a menu of support, tailored to their needs.

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