Clause 13
Welfare Reform Bill
3:30 pm
Jeremy Hunt (Shadow Minister (the Disabled), Work & Pensions; South West Surrey, Conservative)
My hon. Friend makes an important point, and it underlines my point. One of the most important outcomes of the Bill, the general direction of which the whole Committee supports, must be the stepping up of involvement with employers. With the pathways to work pilots, we have the mechanism to make it happen. However, there are practical requirements of employers, which is where the amendment has some value. Employers are obliged to make reasonable adjustments through the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, but a reasonable adjustment will vary depending on the disability of the person seeking employment. The personal adviser will be aware of the disability and what the reasonable adjustment should be.
The amendment would clarify what employers were expected to do, as they form part of the bargain. Under the 2005 Act, the provision would become part of the action plan and a helpful part of the process. On that basis, I look forward to the Minister’s comments.