Revision of guidance for Access to Work scheme great news for disabled councillors - Baroness Thomas of Winchester

Liberal Democrat peer, Baroness (Celia) Thomas of Winchester has welcomed the immediate change to the Access to Work scheme guidance for disabled councillors following the Government's admission the situation was unclear last Wednesday.

In a written answer to Baroness Thomas, the Government said the revised guidance would apply immediately and thanked her for raising the matter.

Commenting, Baroness Thomas said: "We now have an absolute assurance from the Government that disabled councillors who receive allowances as well as expenses are entitled to apply for the Access to Work scheme. This means no disabled person should be put off standing for office because of uncertainty over what support they can apply for. I am delighted the Government has responded so promptly to my question. This is great news for disabled councillors all over the country."

Readers may wish to know what Access to Work actually is:-

The Access to Work scheme exists to help disabled people work. The support can pay for specialist equipment, adapting premises, a support worker or transport to and from work, for example. Further details on the DirectGov website: ttp://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Employmentsupport/WorkSchemesAndProgrammes/DG_4000347

Here is a copy of Baroness Thomas of Winchester's question, and the response that she received. The Government response came in the form of a written answer.

Baroness Thomas of Winchester's question was:- "To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord McKenzie of Luton on 12 November 2009 (WA 181), what further consideration they have given to reviewing the guidance about the Access to Work scheme for disabled councillors."

The Government's written answer was: "The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Department for Work and Pensions (Lord McKenzie of Luton): The department has completed its review of the guidance in relation to councillors' eligibility for support through the Access to Work scheme. We agree that the situation was unclear and have therefore amended the guidance. The revised guidance makes clear that where disabled councillors receive allowances over and above reimbursement of meal and travel costs, and they meet the other eligibility criteria, they will be treated as being in employment for Access to Work purposes and may be eligible for support through the scheme. They will not now have to satisfy the national minimum wage requirements. The revised guidance applies immediately and has already been brought to the attention to advisers.

I thank the noble Baroness for having raised this matter."