Assisted Technology

Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 2 July 2018.

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Photo of Scott Mann Scott Mann Conservative, North Cornwall 12:00, 2 July 2018

What steps the Government have taken to encourage assisted technology as a means to help disabled people into the workplace.

Photo of Sarah Newton Sarah Newton The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions

We are committed to making sure that all disabled people who want to work have the opportunity to do so. I am really pleased that, over the past four years, more than 600,000 more disabled people are in work. Assistive technology is of course playing a key role in that. We support such initiatives through the Access to Work tech fund and Disability Confident.

Photo of Scott Mann Scott Mann Conservative, North Cornwall

The Minister will know that autonomous vehicle technology is moving along quickly. Does she agree that autonomous vehicles could give people increased social mobility, and enable people with physical disabilities or those who are partially sighted to access work?

Photo of Sarah Newton Sarah Newton The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions

My hon. Friend raises an important point. The Government are investing hundreds of millions into research and development to make sure that we fully understand the potential of autonomous vehicles and make sure that they really do benefit disabled people.

Photo of Philippa Whitford Philippa Whitford Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Health and Social Care)

In the light of all the controversy around the quality of PIP assessments, would it not save time to get people’s medical records automatically, thereby reducing face-to-face assessments, appeals and the hardship for beneficiaries?

Photo of Sarah Newton Sarah Newton The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions

The hon. Lady raises an important point. As part of our continuous improvement of PIP, we work closely with healthcare professionals so that we can speed up the process and make sure that we get all the right information to make the best possible decision the first time around.